Cathedral of St. Andrew
The Cathedral of St. Andrew is located in the town of Amalfi, Italy and was built in the early 1200s. As you enter through the Port, the old doorway into the piazza, the impressive set of 62 steps that lead to the cathedral are before you. They are significant in size. St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, is the patron saint of Amalfi as well as Scotland and Russia. Cardinal Pietro Capuano, in the 4th Crusade, took the relics of Andrew from Constantinople, and brought them to Amalfi (May 8, 1208), There were placed in the cathedral's crypt.
There are miracles linked with St. Andrew. On June 27, 1544, a sudden surge in the ocean sunk the ships of Ariadeno Barbarossa, who had attacked Amalfi and Salerno. Be in Amalfi on June 27, it remains a festival date.
The cathedral's central portal has two medieval bronze doors. There were the first to be in Italy. Commisioned by a wealthy merchant of Amalfi, the doors were cast in Constantinople (1060). Remains of silver inlays depicting Christ, Mary, and various saints can still be seen. The bronze doors are framed by a Romanesque portal, carved with vines inhabited by mythical beasts.
Consistent with the history of the region, there is an Arab-influence to the architecture of the exterior of the cathedral.
Inside the church, in its crypt, are relics of St. Andrew the Apostle.
Connected to the cathedral is an older basilica, now housing a small museum, and the Cloister of Paradise. There are medieval murals along the walls.
