The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Amalfi, Italy

At the base of a steep ravine where the Lattari Mountains plunge into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Amalfi guards one of Christianity's most precious treasures: the mortal remains of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the first-called disciple of Christ. Cardinal Pietro Capuano brought these relics from Constantinople in 1208, and for over eight centuries pilgrims have climbed the cathedral's sixty-two steps to venerate the brother of Saint Peter. The Cathedral of Saint Andrew rises above the Piazza Duomo like a jewel set in terraced stone, its striped façade catching the Mediterranean light. Here, where East and West once met through Amalfi's maritime trade, Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims still kneel together in the crypt beneath the high altar—a living testimony to the bond between Peter and Andrew, between Rome and Constantinople.

📜 History & Spiritual Significance

Andrew was a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee, casting nets into the Sea of Galilee alongside his brother Simon when Jesus called them both: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). The Gospel of John records that Andrew had first followed John the Baptist before recognizing Jesus as the Messiah—making him the Protokletos, the "first-called." It was Andrew who brought his brother Simon to Christ, saying simply, "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41). Tradition holds that Andrew preached throughout Asia Minor and along the Black Sea coast before reaching Patras in Greece, where he was martyred around 60-70 AD. Refusing to be crucified on the same type of cross as his Lord, he was bound to a diagonal cross—now known as the Saltire or Saint Andrew's Cross—and hung there for two days, preaching to those who gathered until his death. The apostle's relics remained in Patras until 357, when Emperor Constantius II ordered their transfer to Constantinople to rest beside his brother Peter's remains in Rome. There they stayed for over eight centuries until the chaos of the Fourth Crusade. In 1208, Cardinal Pietro Capuano—himself a native of Amalfi—brought Andrew's body to his hometown, where a new crypt awaited beneath the cathedral. The relics were not destined to remain complete. In 1462, the skull was taken to Rome for safekeeping as Ottoman forces advanced through Greece; it would rest in Saint Peter's Basilica for five centuries. Then in September 1964, Pope Paul VI made an extraordinary gesture of ecumenical reconciliation: he returned the skull to Patras, restoring the apostle's head to the land of his martyrdom. The rest of Andrew's body—along with portions that have been sent to Scotland, Edinburgh, and other churches—remains in Amalfi.

☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Amalfi

Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea

Cathedral of Saint Andrew · Dedication: Saint Andrew the Apostle Duke Mansone I founded the cathedral in 987, and Cardinal Pietro Capuano expanded it after 1203 to receive Saint Andrew's relics. The current neo-Moorish façade dates to 1891, replacing an earlier front that collapsed. The cathedral serves as the principal shrine of Saint Andrew outside Greece, drawing both Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims who venerate the apostle together in this church where Byzantine, Arab, and Norman influences interweave. Address Piazza Duomo 1, 84011 Amalfi GPS 40.634333, 14.602611 Map Google Maps Web visitamalfi.info

Cripta di Sant'Andrea

Crypt of Saint Andrew Beneath the cathedral's high altar, a Baroque crypt commissioned by Philip III of Spain holds the apostle's remains. The 1660 frescoes depict scenes from Christ's Passion, while a central altar contains the silver reliquary—crafted by Domenico Fontana—where Andrew's bones rest. A bronze statue by Michelangelo Naccherino watches over the tomb. Here, on certain dates throughout the year, a phenomenon known as the "Manna of Saint Andrew" occurs: a gelatinous liquid that exudes from the relics, first documented in 1304.

Chiostro del Paradiso

Cloister of Paradise Archbishop Filippo Augustariccio built this Arab-Norman cloister between 1266 and 1268 as a cemetery for Amalfi's noble families. One hundred twenty interlaced white marble columns in Moorish style surround a Mediterranean garden, while Roman sarcophagi and medieval frescoes—including a Crucifixion attributed to Giotto's school—line the walls.

Basilica del Crocifisso

Basilica of the Crucifix The oldest structure in the complex dates to the ninth century, originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saints Cosmas and Damian. Three naves divided by columns support pointed arches with a matroneum above. Restoration between 1931 and 1991 removed Baroque additions, revealing the original Romanesque architecture. The basilica now houses the Museo Diocesano.

Museo Diocesano

Diocesan Museum Within the Basilica of the Crucifix, the museum preserves treasures spanning a millennium. The Angevin Mitre of Saint Ludovico of Toulouse glitters with gold, emeralds, rubies, and nearly twenty thousand tiny pearls. The Golden Fleece of the Knights of Malta recalls Fra Gerardo Sasso di Scala, who according to tradition founded the Hospitallers. Roman sarcophagi depicting the Rape of Proserpine and the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis testify to Amalfi's ancient past.

Campanile

Bell Tower Construction of the Romanesque bell tower began in 1180 and took nearly a century to complete. Four towers rise above arches decorated with green and yellow majolica tiles in the Arab-Norman style. The tower stands as a landmark visible throughout the coast and from approaching ferries.

Atrium and Bronze Doors

Sixty-two steps lead up from the piazza to an atrium frescoed by Paolo Vetri in 1929 with scenes from the life of Christ and Saint Andrew. The bronze doors were cast in Constantinople in 1066—commissioned by the wealthy Amalfi merchant Pantaleone de Comite Maurone—making them among the first bronze doors in Italy since Roman times. Four silver figures represent Christ, the Virgin, Saint Peter, and Saint Andrew.

🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations

Feast of Saint Andrew — November 30

The liturgical feast of Saint Andrew draws pilgrims from across Italy and the Orthodox world. Solemn Mass fills the cathedral, and the faithful descend to the crypt to venerate the apostle's relics. The celebration culminates in the Corsa del Santo: bearers dressed in red carry the eighteenth-century silver bust of Saint Andrew through the narrow streets of Amalfi, then sprint up all sixty-two cathedral steps while Rossini's "Mosè in Egitto" thunders across the piazza. When the statue reaches the top, the crowd erupts in applause. On the eve of the feast, November 29, the faithful gather in the crypt for the Manna ceremony, watching to see if the saint's relics will exude their mysterious liquid—a sign traditionally interpreted as the apostle's blessing and protection over Amalfi.

Summer Festival of Saint Andrew — June 27

This feast commemorates Andrew's miraculous intervention on June 27, 1544, when a sudden storm destroyed the fleet of the Ottoman pirate Ariadeno Barbarossa as it approached to sack the town. The evening of June 26, pilgrims gather in the crypt for the Manna ceremony. The following day brings procession, Solemn Mass, and another dramatic Corsa del Santo up the cathedral steps. After sunset, fireworks illuminate the Mediterranean sky and the faithful process to the sea for the blessing of the waters.

Translation of the Relics — May 7-8

Known locally as "Sant'Andrea 'a quaglia," this feast marks the anniversary of Cardinal Pietro Capuano's arrival with Andrew's relics in 1208.

🛏️ Where to Stay

Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A thirteenth-century Capuchin monastery transformed into a luxury hotel, perched on cliffs above the sea with terraced gardens cascading toward the water. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A seventeenth-century Dominican monastery in nearby Conca dei Marini, featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant and an infinity pool carved into the clifftop. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel Hotel Luna Convento ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Another historic monastery conversion overlooking the sea, founded by Saint Francis himself according to tradition, with a Byzantine cloister and private beach access. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel Albergo Sant'Andrea ⭐⭐⭐ — A family-run hotel in the historic center, mere steps from the cathedral with rooms overlooking the Piazza Duomo and the striped façade. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel Hotel Residence ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A seafront property along Amalfi's beach promenade, a two-minute walk from the cathedral with traditional Mediterranean style. Reserve this hotel

🚗 Getting There

By Air: Naples International Airport (NAP) lies 65 kilometers northwest, with connections via train and bus through Salerno or Sorrento. The new Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport opened in 2024, just 20 kilometers southeast—the Salerno Airlink bus connects to Salerno train station in 40 minutes. By Train and Bus: From Naples, take the regional train to Salerno (40 minutes), then SITA Sud bus route 5120 to Amalfi (75 minutes). Buses depart from Via Vinciprova or Piazza della Concordia near the train station. Purchase tickets at tabacchi or newsstands before boarding—the COSTIERASITA 24-hour pass (€10) offers unlimited rides along the coast. By Ferry: From April through October, ferries connect Amalfi to Salerno (35 minutes), Positano (25 minutes), Capri, and Sorrento. Travelmar operates the most frequent service. In Salerno, ferries depart from Molo Masuccio Salernitano near the train station. By Car: From Salerno, follow the SS163 Amalfitana west along the coast—a spectacular but winding 25-kilometer drive that takes about an hour. Parking in Amalfi is extremely limited; consider parking in Salerno and taking the ferry.

🎥 Recommended Videos

The Amalfi Coast and the Tomb of St. Andrews by EWTN — Documentary exploring the spectacular Amalfi Coast and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, tracing the journey of the apostle's relics from Constantinople to this clifftop town. (27 minutes)

📚 Further Reading

Books: Tomeo, Teresa. Italy's Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations off the Beaten Path — Comprehensive Catholic pilgrimage guide covering Italian shrines from the Vatican to Venice, Assisi to Amalfi, by the EWTN host and Italy travel expert. Amalfi Coast Travel Guide 2024-2025 — Practical resource for itineraries, transportation, accommodations, and local insights along the coast. Lamont, Stewart. The Life of St Andrew: Apostle, Saint and Enigma — A comprehensive biography exploring Andrew's life, martyrdom, and the spread of his veneration across Europe. Online Resources: Amalfi Cathedral — UNESCO Amalfi Coast heritage page with architectural details and historical context. (UNESCO Amalfi Coast) Saint Andrew — Comprehensive biography from the Catholic Encyclopedia covering the apostle's life and the distribution of his relics. (New Advent) Archdiocese of Amalfi — Historical overview of the archdiocese from its sixth-century origins. (Chiesa Positano)

🔗 Useful Links

Visit Amalfi — Official tourism portal with visitor information, events, and practical details for the cathedral complex. SITA Sud Bus Timetables — Official schedules for coastal bus routes connecting Amalfi to Salerno, Positano, and Sorrento. Travelmar Ferries — Ferry schedules and booking for coastal and island connections from Amalfi's harbor.

🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations

Salerno (25 km) — The Cathedral of San Matteo holds the relics of Saint Matthew the Evangelist, brought from Paestum in 954. Another apostolic tomb in southern Italy, Salerno serves as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Pompeii (40 km) — The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary draws millions of pilgrims annually to venerate an icon commissioned by Blessed Bartolo Longo. The ancient Roman ruins lie in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Ravello (7 km) — High above the coast, the Cathedral of San Pantaleone preserves a relic of the martyr's blood that liquefies each July 27. The town's Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone offer stunning views over the Mediterranean. Sorrento (35 km) — The Basilica of Sant'Antonino honors the town's patron saint, a sixth-century abbot whose relics lie in a Baroque crypt. The gateway to the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri.

🪶 Closing Reflection

"Simon Peter and Andrew were called together to become fishers of men. This same task, however, took on a different form for each of the brothers... The issue of the universal service of Peter and his Successors has unfortunately given rise to our differences of opinion, which we hope to overcome."

— Pope Benedict XVI, Homily on the Feast of Saint Andrew, Istanbul, November 30, 2006