The historic centre of Salerno is right above the seafront and includes the harbour of Salerno, up to the Corso Vittorio Emanuele area. It is divided in districts rich in history, stately homes, churches and narrow alleys dating back to 197 BC, when Romans founded Salernum.
From the Villa Comunale (Municipal Villa) walk along the alleys in via dei Mercanti, a Medieval road still famous for commerce and shopping that leads to several areas of the historic centre. Walk uphill along via Fusandola to reach the Giardino della Minerva (Minerva Garden), a wonderful small botanical garden with a breathtaking view, where you can take a path of steps leading to the Castello Arechi (Arechi Castle).
Keep on walking along the alleys and you will reach via Trotula de Ruggiero where the Museo della Medicina Roberto Papi (Roberto Papi Medical Science Museum) is; then walk downhill towards largo Campo and the Arco di Arechi (Arechi’s Arch). Proceed along via Duomo and you will get to the Duomo di Salerno (Salerno’s Cathedral) and the Tempio di Pomona (Pomona Temple) that dates back to the Roman period.
Walk back to via Mercanti and you will reach the Pinacoteca provinciale (Provincial Gallery) and the Museo Virtuale della Scuola Medica Salernitana (Salerno Medical School Virtual Museum). Proceed until the end of the road where you can see the Chiesa del Crocifisso (Crucifix Church) dating back to the 13th century, and Piazza Portanova, the square that marks the start of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the shopping road par excellence, full of shops, coffee bars and restaurants.
From the Corso, walk uphill along via Arce and you will reach the Acquedotto medievale (Medieval Water Main) that dates back to the 9th century.
