salerno is a big, busy port. here the allies landed in 1943, leaving in their wake a much bombed, ruinous city.
once famous for its school of medicine (12th century), it is visited today for its duomo an 11th century structure built on a 10th century foundation.
its best feature is the atrium, whose columns came from nearby paestum. in the crypt is the tomb of st. matthew, which was brought here in 954.
the museo diocesano is home to most of the cathedral treasures, including an 11th century ivory altar-fron called the paliotto. before wandering off down the bustling corso vittorio emanuele, visit the museo provinciale for local archaeological finds.
environs: the cilento is a mountainous region south of salerno with a remote interior and a lovely coastline that is only slightly more populous.
among the towns along the coast, agropoli is a busy little seaside resort 42 km. south of salerno.