[Dec. 2024] Since we were staying in Sorrento in southern Italy, we had to see the Amalfi Coast, so we headed to Amalfi on this day.
We took a local bus that departed from in front of the Sorrento station.
However, the bus was already full, so we had to stand until we reached Positano.
The last time we travelled to the Amalfi Coast, we had a Japanese family with us, so we took a private tour with a guide.
I laughed and said to my husband, “We’ve got old and become like a backpacker.”
In Amalfi, we climbed the stairs to the cathedral and went inside this time.
Last time, my elderly mother couldn’t climb the rather steep 60-step staircase, so we just looked at it from below.
Its official name is the Cathedral of St. Andrew, and its history dates back to the 9th century.
Various architectural styles have been added over the years, and the impressive façade is from the 19th century.
Inside is spacious and majestic.
I think it was a chapel of relics, but I noticed various golden statues and vessels lined up on shelves built into the old, simple walls.
According to the information board there, in the 18th century, a miracle occurred when the statue of Mary inside emitted light and illuminated the face of St. Alphonsus while he was preaching.
This time, I did a little research and remembered reading that “you should see the crypt of the cathedral,” so we went there.
This one cost €2 to enter, but I think it was worth more than that.
First, there is a 13th century cloister called the “Cloister of Paradise.”
It is a wonderful space with 120 white columns lined up in a slightly Islamic architectural style.
According to the pamphlet I received, this is the cemetery of Amalfi’s nobles.
At the back of the cloister, we entered an even older church called the “Basilica of Christ on the Cross.”
This church was the first to be designated as Amalfi’s cathedral, and its history dates back to the 6th century.
The empty white space is impressive with the light coming through the many simple windows lined up.
Remnants of frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries can be seen here and there.
And then the crypt.
As soon as I saw this space, I exclaimed, “Wow!” at how unexpectedly luxurious it was.
The pamphlet describes this as “the heart of Amalfi.”
Apparently, the relics of St. Andrew, which arrived in Amalfi in the early 13th century, are kept here.
The gorgeous space that exists today was remodelled in the “late Mannerismo” style with the support of King Philip III of Spain, who ruled here in the 17th century.
This was actually my fourth visit to Amalfi, but it was the first time I saw this magnificent crypt.
It really made me realise that preparation is important.
