Salerno history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Salerno is rooted in deep antiquity. Initially, it is likely that an Etruscan settlement known as Irna existed in this territory. However, the official milestone in the city's history is considered to be 197 BC, when the Romans founded the colony of Salernum here. Originally, it was a fortified camp (castrum), created as a strategic defensive outpost on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea to control the conquered local Piceni tribes.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Salerno from a military camp into a thriving city was driven by a combination of geographical advantages and political decisions:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated in the sheltered bay of the Gulf of Salerno, between the sea and the mountains, creating ideal conditions for a port and providing natural protection against attacks from the land.
• Capital Status: In the early Middle Ages, particularly under the Lombard Prince Arechis II (8th century), Salerno became the capital of the independent Principality of Salerno. This led to the construction of powerful fortifications, including the famous Castle of Arechis, and an influx of population.
• Norman Influence: With the arrival of the Normans led by Robert Guiscard in the 11th century, the city reached the peak of its political power, becoming one of the most important capitals of Southern Italy.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even in the Middle Ages, Salerno stood out among other Italian cities thanks to its unique intellectual climate and trade:

• City of Hippocrates: The most significant achievement was the emergence of the famous Schola Medica Salernitana (Salernitan Medical School) — the first secular medical educational institution in Europe. Thanks to this, the city received the honorary title Civitas Hippocratica.
• Fusion of Cultures: The city's development was fostered by the peaceful coexistence and exchange of knowledge between four cultures: Latin, Greek, Arab, and Jewish. This rich cultural tapestry greatly contributed to the scientific advancements of the era.
• Trade: The port of Salerno was a vital hub in the Mediterranean, handling the export of grain, timber, and linen, as well as the import of spices and fine fabrics from the East.

Chronology of Events

• 197 BC — The Romans found the colony of Salernum on the site of an ancient settlement, turning it into a trade hub.
• 774 — The Lombard Prince Arechis II moves his court to Salerno, fortifies the city with walls, and builds a castle.
• 839 — Formation of the independent Principality of Salerno, which becomes one of the most important states in Southern Italy.
• 9th Century — The flourishing of the famous Schola Medica Salernitana, the first higher medical institution in Europe.
• 1076 — The city is conquered by the Norman Duke Robert Guiscard, who makes it his capital.
• 1084 — Consecration of the Cathedral of San Matteo, where Pope Gregory VII finds his final resting place.
• 1194 — Salerno comes under the rule of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, leading to a gradual loss of its capital status.
• 1419 — Queen Joanna II of Naples grants the city as a feudal possession to the Colonna family.
• 1656 — A massive plague epidemic claims the lives of a significant part of the population, slowing the region's development.
• 1860 — Giuseppe Garibaldi triumphantly enters the city, joining it to the unifying Italy.
• 1943 — During Operation Avalanche, Allied forces land on the coast of Salerno.
• 1944 — For several months, the city becomes the temporary capital of the Kingdom of Italy, hosting the government and the King.
• 1954 — A severe flood causes serious damage to the infrastructure and the historic centre.
• 1968 — Foundation of the modern University of Salerno, reviving the city's academic traditions.
• 2016 — Opening of the new Maritime Terminal designed by Zaha Hadid, becoming a symbol of architectural renewal.

Milestones of Salerno's Development

The history of Salerno is a journey from an ancient outpost to a modern centre of architecture and tourism. Key stages of the city's development have defined its current economic and cultural character:

• Roman Urbanisation and Maritime Trade
  The status of a Roman colony transformed the military camp into a full-fledged city with a forum, thermal baths, and temples. The development of the port laid the foundation for a sea-oriented economy, which determined Salerno's trading character for centuries.
• Lombard Flourishing (Opulenta Salernum)
  In the 8th century, becoming the capital of an independent principality, the city experienced a massive urban planning boom. The construction of monumental walls and the princely palace of Arechis II made Salerno one of the most fortified and wealthy poleis of Southern Italy.
• Era of the Medical School and Science
  In the 11th–12th centuries, the city became the intellectual capital of Europe. The flourishing of the Salernitan Medical School promoted an influx of scholars and students, creating a unique multicultural environment and stimulating the development of urban service infrastructure.
• Norman Grandeur and Architecture
  Under Robert Guiscard, the city reached the peak of political power. The construction of the majestic Cathedral of San Matteo not only strengthened the city's religious status but also set a new vector in the region's architectural style, blending Arab, Byzantine, and Norman features.
• Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century
  After the unification of Italy, Salerno became the first city in the south to actively develop industry. The emergence of large textile factories (established by Swiss industrialists) and ceramic production earned the city the nickname "Manchester of the Two Sicilies" and attracted a new workforce.
• Period of "Salerno Capitale" and Recovery
  World War II brought significant destruction, but the status of Italy's temporary capital (1944) became the starting point for large-scale post-war reconstruction and modernisation of housing and administrative buildings.
• Modern Architectural Renovation
  At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the city launched an ambitious urban redevelopment plan. Attracting world-renowned architects (Zaha Hadid, Ricardo Bofill) to create new public spaces and the maritime terminal has reoriented the city's economy towards international tourism and services.

Architectural Evolution and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Salerno presents a unique mosaic, where the medieval layout of the historic centre sits in harmony with wide 19th-century promenades and bold futuristic projects of the modern era. The city developed in layers: from the fortified core on the mountain slope down to the sea, gradually occupying the coastal strip.

Styles and Eras

Each period of history has left its notable mark on Salerno, forming the city's recognisable silhouette:

• Middle Ages (Romanesque Style and Arab-Norman Eclecticism)
  The historic heart of the city has preserved the structure of the Lombard and Norman eras. Narrow winding streets, arches, and courtyards lead to the main landmarks of that time.
  Iconic sites: Cathedral of San Matteo (with its magnificent atrium and bell tower in the Arab-Norman style), Castle of Arechis (Castello di Arechi) towering over the city, and the medieval aqueduct.
• Baroque (17th–18th Centuries)
  During this period, the city underwent religious and civil renewal. Severe medieval church facades were rebuilt in the lavish style of Neapolitan Baroque, while the nobility erected elegant residences.
  Iconic sites: Church of San Giorgio with rich frescoes and paintings, Palazzo Genovese, and Palazzo Pinto.
• 19th Century (Neoclassicism and Liberty)
  After the unification of Italy, Salerno expanded beyond the ancient walls. The formation of a new city centre began with a regular layout, wide avenues, and public buildings.
  Iconic sites: Teatro Verdi — a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture, and numerous residential buildings in the Liberty style (Italian Art Nouveau).
• Fascist Era (Rationalism)
  In the 1930s and post-war years, the city was actively built up with monumental administrative buildings characteristic of Italian Rationalism.
  Iconic sites: City Hall (Palazzo di Città) and the Palace of the Province, as well as the famous Lungomare Trieste promenade, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.
• Modernity (Postmodernism and High-Tech)
  In the 21st century, Salerno became a laboratory for modern urbanism. The city invited world-famous architects to renovate port and industrial zones, creating a new image as a tourist hub.
  Iconic sites: Maritime Station (Stazione Marittima) designed by Zaha Hadid, resembling an oyster, the monumental residential complex Crescent by Ricardo Bofill, and Piazza della Libertà.

Notable People of Salerno

The history of Salerno is inextricably linked with the names of great rulers, innovative scholars, and artists. These individuals not only shaped the appearance of the city but also influenced the course of European history and culture.

• Arechis II (8th Century)
  Lombard Prince and Urban Planner
  A key figure in the city's early history. He moved his residence from Benevento to Salerno, effectively making it the capital of the principality. It was he who built the famous castle on the mountaintop (Castello di Arechi) and the powerful city walls, turning Salerno into an impregnable fortress and a wealthy political centre.
• Trotula of Salerno (11th–12th Centuries)
  Physician, Lecturer, and Author
  The most famous representative of the "Women of Salerno" (Mulieres Salernitanae). She taught at the Salernitan Medical School and wrote fundamental works on gynaecology and dermatology. Trotula became a symbol of the advanced role of women in the city's medieval science and medicine.
• Robert Guiscard (c. 1015–1085)
  Norman Duke of Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily
  An outstanding military commander who conquered Salerno in 1076 and made it the capital of his vast domains. Under his rule, the city reached the peak of its political power, and the majestic Cathedral of San Matteo was erected.
• Pope Gregory VII (c. 1020–1085)
  Head of the Catholic Church, Reformer
  One of the greatest popes of the Middle Ages, known for his Investiture Controversy with emperors. He spent the last years of his life in exile in Salerno under the protection of the Normans. Buried in the city cathedral, his tomb is an important historical and religious landmark.
• Masuccio Salernitano (1410–1475)
  Renaissance Writer and Novelist
  Author of the famous collection "Il Novellino", consisting of 50 novellas. He is considered one of the pioneers of the short prose genre in Italy. His works, full of satire and vivid descriptions of daily life, focus on the noble residents of Salerno and Naples of that time.
• Alfonso Gatto (1909–1976)
  Poet, Writer, and Journalist
  One of the major Italian poets of the 20th century, a representative of Hermeticism. A native of Salerno, he dedicated many poignant lines to his hometown. He is buried in the city cemetery, and his poems are engraved on walls in the historic Fornelle district.