Wonder Salerno Project

The Cathedral was built between 1080 and 1085 after the conquest of the city by Robert Guiscard, while Alfano I was archbishop. Some legends say that until around 1830, a transparent and odorless liquid exuded from the relics of Saint Matthew, the so-called Manna of Saint Matthew, to which miraculous properties were attributed

The Carnale tower (or fort) was built around 1569 by the entrepreneur Andrea Di Gaeta of Coperchia and Originally, it stood directly on the sea. It is located a few hundred meters from the mouth Irno River and is linked as a defensive system with the "Coastal Towers" of Angellara, Torrione and Vietri. It belonged to a of type of towers called "cavalry towers", from which men on horseback departed to warn the population in case of attack from the sea. Fort La Carnale was the scene of the strenuous defense of Salerno by the so-called "Masaniello salernitano", Ippolito di Pastina, who rebelled against the abuses of the Spaniards in the seventeenth century; the fort later became a Bourbon fortress in 1828. After the unification of Italy and until 1924 it was used as an ammunition depot. In the Second War World War II was reinforced with "bunkers" and suffered a lot of damage during the Allies landing in September 1943.

the complex of San Pietro a Corte represents the monument that contains many important phases of the history of Salerno, from the Romans to the sixteenth century. The Palatine Chapel was built by the will of Prince Arechi II, between 758 and 787, within a precise political programme, according to which the prince deemed necessary to provide himself with a second well-fortified city in addition to Benevento, capital of the Duchy. In the 13th century the church was used for public ceremonies, including the awarding of degrees from the Medical School of Salerno

It was built to supply the monastery of San Benedetto with water and is still located in the historic center of Salerno, under the Bonadies hill and the castle of Arechi. The aqueduct was popularly renamed "Devils' Bridge" because according to legend it was built in a single night, with the help of demons, by the 12th century magician from Salerno Pietro Barliario. Another legend has it that under the aqueduct, on a stormy night, four founders of the Medical School of Salerno met by chance: the Arab Adela, the Greek Ponto, the Jew Elino and the Latin Salerno, since at the time Salerno was a crossroads of many peoples, religions and cultures.

The Bastille was built around 1075 by the Lombard prince Gisulfo II who, to prepare for the siege of Robert Guiscard, built several towers on the surrounding hills, including "La Bastea". Built on the highest hill of the castle, in order to repel the assailants coming from the north and obtain a wider view over the entire gulf of Salerno, the structure is an isolated building, located behind the Castle of Arechi.
The name comes from a misunderstanding, which apparently began in the 19th century, according to which it was believed that the building was a prison, which were instead located inside the Castle of Arechi.

The hero of two worlds, he stops only one day in Salerno, before concluding the enterprise that will lead to the unification of the peninsula. Corso Garibaldi and a commemorative plaque are dedicated to him.

Originally from Salerno, he is one of the bravest anti-fascists. He will lose his life following the third and most serious attack orchestrated by them. Salerno dedicated one of its central squares and a statue along Corso Garibaldi to him.

An important Italian patriot, he will give his life for the ideal of unification. The arduous attempt of an anti-Bourbon insurrection, which leads him to death, took place in the province of Salerno: it is the Sapri expedition.

The main streets of the Kingdom cities are named after the first king of united Italy. In Salerno, what used to be a dusty road became the "Corso del Re", a favorite promenade of the Salerno people. today is the street of big brands, banks, offices... and bars where you can enjoy a pleasant break.

Among the famous Mulieres Salernitanae, women who taught and practiced the art of medicine in Salerno, Trotula de Ruggiero came from a noble Norman family, who contributed to the funding for the construction of the Cathedral. Trotula would therefore be born in Salerno and would be initiated into higher education and in particular medicine. Her extraordinary talents would soon lead her to fame, mainly due to the drafting of a treatise that is still today considered a milestone in gynecology and obstetrics, the De passionibus mulierum.

Costanza was initiated into the medical profession by her father, Salvatore Calenda, a surgeon working first in Salerno and then in Naples, during the 15th century. After attending the Salerno Medical School, she followed her father to Naples, acting as his assistant. According to some sources, in this period Costanza managed to obtain the title of doctor of medicine at the Neapolitan University, thus representing the first Western woman to be able to have a degree in this discipline.

On 21 June 1943, shortly after 1 pm, formations of American fighter-bombers arrived from the sea and began to drop their bombs on the city. The people are at the table for lunch when the sirens scream. Most Salerno citizens have no reason to think that the city could represent a strategic target for Anglo-Americans. Yet, only the night before, an English single-engine jokingly nicknamed "Ciccio o 'ferroviere", usually used for reconnaissance operations, drops the first bomb on the city, which counts one victim and four wounded. Formations of B-17s, also known as "Flying Fortresses" arrive from the sea and drop a rain of bombs between the station and the sanatorium, as well as on the hills of Giovi. Salerno is overwhelmed by the devastating violence of the Second World War

September 9, 1943, before dawn. The Gulf of Salerno is the setting for the largest amphibious operation in history, after the Normandy landings: Operation Avalanche. More than 600 ships have departed from North Africa and Sicily, pouring into the Gulf of Salerno. The sea is entirely covered by the huge fleet. The soldiers easily land on the beaches, but suddenly meet German resistance. The mines scattered on the ground, the shots from the hills and the plains, the attacks by German tanks, will leave numerous victims on the ground.

In this three-dimensional reconstruction, the ancient Porta Catena appears, which between the 1500s and 1600s represented the threshold of the main communication route between Salerno, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Its construction takes place at the end of the 1500s, when the Porta Busandola (or Porta Nocerina) which was located near the ancient cemetery and from which the walls rose up to the castle, was moved further down, right next to the bell tower of the Church of Annunciation, precisely taking the name of Porta Catena.

Protagonist of the Neapolitan Republic of 1799, holding the position of Minister of Interior, Gian Francesco Conforti was arrested and condemned by the reactionaries and still today represents the ideals of liberality and love for the people. The square, which for centuries represented the center of city life and which in all probability housed the forum during the Roman period, is today dedicated to the famous abbot.

An important exponent of the Medical School of Salerno, Alfano I was a multifaceted character, capable of mastering the main knowledge of the time. He is therefore among the most illustrious protagonists in the history of Salerno.
A close friend of the future Pope Victor Ill, he formed decisive relationships with Robert The Guiscard and Pope Gregory VII. We owe him the recovery of the relics of San Matteo, patron saint of the city, and the construction of the Cathedral.

Roberto d'Altavilla's deeds have left a lasting imprint on local history but also on the European scene. He fought his brother-in-law Gisulfo Il, the last Lombard to reign over Salerno, he defended Pope Gregory VIl despite the excommunications and supervised the construction of the Cathedral at the request of Alfano l. His epic exploits earned him the nickname of Guiscardo, meaning astute or cunning.

Founder and director of the Salerno newspaper “Giornale della Provincia” he is among the most illustrious names in the recent history of the city. Donato Vestuti represents the city's passion for sport, in particular for football: inspiring father of the U.S. Salernitana, the historic city stadium is dedicated to him.