The Beautiful Cathedral of Saint Andrew at Amalfi

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle is in the small town of Amalfi, the city for which the Amalfi Coast is named. According to Greek mythology, the Greek god Hercules loved a nymph named Amalfi, who died. Hercules chose the present-day Amalfi as the most beautiful spot and named the place after her.

Photoblog, Naples, Italy, April 9, 2025

What are we doing in Europe? Here is the story. Touring Europe might be a crazy idea.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, Amalfi was estimated to have a population of 50,000–70,000 as subjects of the Duke of Amalfi, which is when the Cathedral of Saint Andrew was built.

Wonderful five of the Amalfi Coast from Ravello. Photo from FoxRVTravel article "Don't drive the Amalfi Coast" — Fabulous view of the Amalfi Coast from Ravello.

Over hundreds of years, the other towns along the Amalfi Coast started as fishing villages and became larger. The only road between the cities is now a one-way highway never designed for cars. The site of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew dates back to the fifth century.

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew’s origins date to 596 AD. Before that, it was probably the site of a pagan temple, which was then converted into a church. Later, a new Cathedral of Saint Andrew was built next to it. A few hundred years later, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew was converted into a Mosque by Musulum invaders.

Though Naples never fell to the Muslum invaders, the Duchy of Amalfi was on the front lines during this time, and the Cathedral at Amalfi (well south of Naples) was converted into a Mosque. Italy repelled the invasion, which was over around the 13th century.

Saint Andrew was Saint Peter’s brother and fisherman when Christ named them his disciples.

Sculpture assumed to be of Saint Andrew at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — The sculpture is assumed to be of Saint Andrew at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

The Fourth Crusade diverted from its original goal of conquering Jerusalem to attack instead and sack the Christian city of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. This was all caused by power struggles between the Western church (which we now call the catholic church) and the Byzantine church, which we now call the Orthodox church. This is a greatly simplified version of the story.

The Cathedral was built to honor Saint Andrew the Apostle and house the relics of Saint Andrew, which were brought to Constantinople from Patras, Greece, in the 4th century. Relics alleged to be those of the Apostle Andrew are kept at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Patras, Greece. Other stories vary, including some that say the relics were scattered in many shrines and frequently moved.

“Relic” refers to anything connected to the Saint, including body parts. Frequently, relics were thought to have magical powers associated with them.

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew was first built in the 9th century, but much of the original structure was destroyed in an earthquake in 1343. In 1861, part of the facade collapsed, damaging the atrium. The whole front of the church was then rebuilt using a design by architect Errico Alvino. The cathedral bell tower dates from 1276.

The Crusaders reportedly brought St. Andrew’s relics from Constantinople to Amalfi. In 1208, the crypt at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew was completed, and the relics were kept at the church.

On our trip to the Amalfi Coast, we visited the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Here is a link to the main article. Don’t drive the Amalfi Coast!

Photos of The Cathedral of Saint Andrew

At the top of the Cathedral there is a mosaic of Christ in heaven the twelve disciples are in the row below him. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — A mosaic of Christ in heaven is at the top of the cathedral. The twelve disciples are in the row below him.

Bronze front door at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — Bronze front door at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

An altar with the Virgin Mary painting at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — An altar with the Virgin Mary painting at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

View of the bell tower from the Cloister of Paradise at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi — View of the bell tower from the Cloister of Paradise at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

Painting attributed to Peter Perugino of the Peta including Saint Andrew commissioned during the reign of Duchy of Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — A painting attributed to Peter (Petro) Perugino of the Pieta, including Saint Andrew, was commissioned during the reign of the Duchy of Amalfi.

Madonna and child with Saint Andrew at Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — Madonna and Child with Saint Andrew at Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

Fresco of Madonna and child at Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — Fresco of Madonna and child at Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

A 14th century fresco of the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine where she marries Christ in heaven in the presence of Mary. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — A 14th-century fresco of the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine (in heaven), where she marries Christ in the presence of Mary.

The annunciation ascension of the virgin at Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — The annunciation ascension of the virgin at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi.

Crucifixion by Ippolito Borghese in the Basilica of the Crucifix Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — Crucifixion by Ippolito Borghese in the Basilica of the Crucifix

The painting is titled "The Vision of Saint Hubert" by Bartolomeo Biscaino, created around 1650–1657 Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi — The painting is titled “The Vision of Saint Hubert” by Bartolomeo Biscaino, created around 1650–1657

This panel is actually a portable alter that the Priest would take with him from town to town while visiting outlying towns. Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi. — This panel is a portable alter that the Priest would take with him from town to town while visiting outlying towns.

Fountain of St. Andrew Apostle in Amalfi at the front of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi Photo from FoxRVTravel article Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Amalfi — Fountain of St. Andrew Apostle in Amalfi

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