Chiesa di San Lorenzo
At the top of Scala, on a small square with a fountain, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo stands at 360 metres above the Amalfi Coast — close enough to the sea to feel the light, far enough to have kept its own quiet character for centuries. The floor alone is worth the climb: hand-painted majolica tiles from the Neapolitan school, dated 1853, with a ladder and lion marking the nave and gridiron-bearing angels across the transept, each motif tied to the town or its patron saint.
Below the main church, two crypts descend in layers. The deeper one, the Crypt of Purgatory, was accidentally uncovered in 1958 and only recently reopened. These aren't atmospheric footnotes — they're the oldest parts of the building, and worth following all the way down.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to mention the Altar of Treasures in the right apse — blue and gold painted marble, nine wooden saint statues each holding a relic of the figure they depict. It's unusual for this stretch of the coast. The 1747 coffered ceiling, with its four canvases by Antonio Cacciapuoti, reads differently once you know they trace the martyrdom of San Lorenzo scene by scene.
The story behind Chiesa di San Lorenzo
The church's foundation is tied to the establishment of the Diocese of Scala, probably around 987, though the first written record appears in 1169. Through the 13th century, apses and a crypt were added; the structure was reshaped in Gothic style, then restored repeatedly — in 1349, 1406, 1481, and again in the 1520s. The Altar of Treasures dates to 1528; an ambo transferred from the Church of Tutti i Santi arrived in 1597.
By 1615 the interior had been redecorated in Baroque style, and the transformation continued into the 18th century: the coffered ceiling, completed in 1747 by Giovanni De Simone, frames canvases painted by Antonio Cacciapuoti. A 14th-century silver chalice and a miter donated by Charles I of Anjou in 1270 — on the feast day of San Lorenzo itself — remain among the church's holdings.
Good to know
Reach Scala from Amalfi by SITA Bus in around 15 minutes — the unlimited-ride pass covers the route. The church is open daily with no admission fee. Allow at least 45 minutes if you want to descend into both crypts. Spring and early autumn keep the square quieter.
Where is Chiesa di San Lorenzo?
More tickets & tours for Chiesa di San Lorenzo
Book directly at the provider
What travellers say about Chiesa di San Lorenzo
A very welcoming parish. The young parish priest, Don Giuseppe, always has a word of comfort and encouragement for everyone.
Very beautiful little church in the hamlet of Cava De Tirreni
As every church has its own religious charm and history
Beautiful church, super welcoming
Very beautiful, I recommend visiting it
More of Scala
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Scala →More attractions in Scala
All of Scala →
Background adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · ratings & place photos via Google · other photos with per-image credit. Ticket links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.