Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea
Rising at the top of 62 sun-bleached steps, Amalfi's cathedral is one of southern Italy's most theatrical facades — a riot of Arab-Norman arches, Byzantine gold and striped marble that stops every visitor in their tracks. Beneath it all lies a crypt said to hold the relics of the Apostle Andrew himself.
The Facade & Cloister
The 13th-century facade was rebuilt after a 1861 collapse but faithfully recreates its Romanesque-Arab glory, with interlocking arches and a glittering mosaic of Christ flanked by saints that blazes in the afternoon sun.
Step through the bronze doors — cast in Constantinople around 1066 — and you enter the Chiostro del Paradiso, a 13th-century cloister of slender double columns enclosing a garden of palms and ancient sarcophagi. It is one of the most serene spots on the entire coast.
The Crypt & Museum
Descend below the main altar to the Cripta di Sant'Andrea, a baroque vault dripping with silver and frescoes where a reliquary bust of the apostle is displayed. The attached Museo Diocesano holds vestments, silver altar pieces and a 12th-century mitre embroidered with tiny narrative scenes.
Admission to the cathedral itself is free, but the cloister-museum complex charges a small fee. Arrive before 10 am or after 4 pm to beat the tour-group rush and catch the facade in its most photogenic light.
Practical Approach
The cathedral sits on Piazza del Duomo, the social heart of Amalfi, surrounded by café terraces. Combine your visit with an espresso at one of the square's bars and watch local fishermen cut through the crowd on their way to the harbour just metres away.
Dress code is strictly enforced: covered shoulders and knees required. A scarf bought at the nearby market stalls will do the job perfectly.
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