Salerno

Salerno, an Italian city and seaport, on the N. side of the Gulf of Salerno, 33 miles S.E. of Naples by railway. In the latter part of the 11th century it fell into the hands of the Normans under Robert Guiscard, who fixed his court here and built the stately cathedral. This edifice, which has a facade of granite Corinthian pillars, is dedicated to St. Matthew, whose bones are said to have been brought hither in 954. In mediaeval times the university was celebrated for its medical school. The silk manufacture is still carried on.