5 unmissable medieval architectures on the Amalfi Coast

Visiting the Amalfi Coast does not only mean discovering picturesque villages and unique landscapes, but also travelling back to the Middle Ages. In fact, there are several extraordinary architectures dating back to this period. Here we have selected five that we recommend everyone visit at least once in their lifetime.

The Cathedral of Amalfi

The Cathedral of Amalfi (also known as St Andrew’s Cathedral) certainly needs no introduction: it is probably the most famous monument in the area. The majestic architectural complex, visited by thousands of tourists every year, actually consists of two once separate buildings. The cathedral was built by Duke Mansion I starting in 987 next to the ancient Basilica of the Crucifix, erected in the 9th century on the remains of an early Christian temple. Although the cathedral is the result of several reconstructions over the centuries, it retains many vestiges of the medieval building, such as: the beautiful bell tower covered in mosaic tiles, built in several stages between the 12th and 13th centuries; the marble decorations of the portal; and the columns of the triumphal arch.

The Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi

The Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi is the symbolic monument of the town’s glorious past and a rare example of medieval civil architecture that has survived to the present day. It was the shipyard where, in the Middle Ages, shipwrights built the ships and galleys of the merchant and war navy. First recorded in a document in 1059, after the decline of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi, it lost its original function and was used for various purposes. It was only in the 1930s that its considerable historical importance was realised, so it was restored and reopened to the public. Since 2010 it has housed part of the collections of the Museo della Bussola e del Ducato Marinaro, which traces the history of the coastal town.

The Tower of Ziro

The Tower of Ziro is all that remains of the medieval castle of Scalella in Pontone, a district of the municipality of Scala. It stands on a spur of rock jutting out towards the sea and was once surrounded by crenellated walls that are still, in part, visible. It served as a guard post to prevent maritime attacks. Its strategic position still affords the observer a breathtaking view. The exact date of its construction is unknown. The earliest records date back to the 12th century, when it was called ‘Turris de Sancto Felice’. The tower is known not only for its architectural interest, but also because in the 16th century the Duchess Giovanna of Aragon was imprisoned and then killed there with her children.

The Basilica of St. Eustace

Also in contrada Pontone are the ruins of an ancient medieval church, the Basilica of St. Eustace, which, despite being reduced to the state of ruins, still retains its majesty thanks to the three apses that rise many metres above the plateau. Positioned on a rocky spur, it offers an incredible 360° view. It was built during the 12th century on commission of the noble D’Afflitto family and dedicated to the Roman martyr they considered to be their progenitor. Later abandoned, it underwent a major restoration at the end of the 20th century that halted the destructive process that had begun in 1570. The remains of a crypt and several terraces enrich the layout.

The Abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia

Located in Maiori, the Abbey of Santa Maria de Olearia is a precious testimony of early medieval art and architecture. Its history begins in the 10th century, when the anchorite Pietro received permission from the archbishop of Amalfi to build a coenoby on the site where oil was processed (hence the epiclesis ‘Olearia’). The structure was later enlarged from Benedictine protocenoby to abbey. Later abandoned, it was only during the 19th century that it was restored. Today, the abbey complex consists of three small chapels one above the other, in which it is possible to appreciate as many pictorial cycles, all medieval, but executed at different times. The best preserved frescoes are to be found in the lowest chapel.

Featured Photo © Gianluca Paolillo Hiking Guide