Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

HISTORY & CULTURE · January 5, 2020

The Duomo of Amalfi Project

Only a handful of people reading this will know that I’ve been obsessed with the facade of the Duomo of Amalfi for some time. Just about 12 years now to be precise. Even fewer people will know I wrote my master’s thesis on the facade of Amalfi’s cathedral. The reason for this is simple: I’ve written about the Duomo only on rare occasions since I graduated. This is not due to a lack of interest. Quite the opposite in fact! It’s such an important topic to me that it has sat there quietly waiting for me to have time. As it seems to happen in life, there was never time.

Honestly, I’ve always felt bad about that. Mostly because I know I’m not the only one who has stepped into Amalfi’s busy little piazza and been struck by its beauty. Gazing up the long steps leading to the Duomo, it’s a view that does tend to stop you in your tracks.

How could that not capture your attention? The bold stripes (stripes on a church?), the sun glimmering on the gold mosaics, the pops of red and green (look closely), the white tracery (yep there’s a name for that!) in the arches of the portico. There are so many little details that catch the eye and yet as a whole create a harmonious design that has graced the Duomo of Amalfi since its completion in 1891.

Living down in the center of Amalfi since July last year means that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Duomo on a near daily basis. Perhaps it’s that or perhaps it’s how much I’ve been missing the research and the feeling of discovery from of my time in art history. Certainly those are two of the aspects that have led me to create a project for 2020 that I’m extremely excited to share.

For the coming year, I’ve created a personal project dedicated to the Duomo of Amalfi where I’ll share monthly posts that delve into different aspects of the 19th-century facade of the church. I’ll take a look back at the earlier facades, the design elements and sources of inspiration of the current facade, the mosaics, and what the facade meant for Amalfi when it was built and what it means today.

After writing Moon Amalfi Coast, where I had to cover an incredible wealth of information in a relatively short time, it feels like a luxury–and one I very much need–to give myself the time to look at something I love for an entire year. What joy! I’ve been digging into old resources with fresh eyes, uncovering new ones, and having the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

I hope you’ll enjoy looking closer at the Duomo of Amalfi with me and discovering more about this unique architectural treasure on the Amalfi Coast. If you have questions or curiosities about the cathedral, I do hope you’ll share them in the comments below.


Posted In: HISTORY & CULTURE · Tagged: Amalfi Coast, Amalfi Coast architecture, Duomo of Amalfi, Duomo of Amalfi Project

You’ll Also Love

La Rondinaia – Visiting “The Swallow’s Nest” in Ravello
Amalfi Coast Autumn Festivals & Events
The Amalfi Coast in Song: An Interview with Lucy Kiely

Comments

  1. Sandra Thayer says

    January 5, 2020 at 14:05

    Laura, this sounds absolutely wonderful. I look forward to reading every word you write about a church that stopped me in my tracks and holds my heart to this very day. Bravo, Laura.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 7, 2020 at 19:53

      You’re the very reason I’m here and love the church. So let’s dedicate this to you!

      Reply
  2. Sandra lowther says

    January 6, 2020 at 02:21

    So looking forward to reading this. Visited this beautiful duomo in 2016 and can’t wait to read all that you have discovered.

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 7, 2020 at 19:52

      Thanks so much for sharing your interest, Sandra. I really appreciate it!

      Reply
  3. Kathryn Occhipinti says

    January 6, 2020 at 09:22

    This cathedral’s style is truly fascinating. I’ve seem a smaller church with stone placed to create a striped pattern in a small town in northern Italy, in Vicenza. I’ve always wondered how this style came about. I look forward to reading your posts!

    Reply
    • Laura Thayer says

      January 7, 2020 at 19:52

      Thanks, Kathryn! It really is a fascinating style. Yes, you’re absolutely right that the stripes can be seen in other parts of Italy. I’ll have to take a look for that church in Vicenza that you mentioned. Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Dalla Carta alla Cartolina – A Unique Paper Experience in Amalfi

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

This morning I said my goodbyes to Bruno Catalano’s “Travelers” on my morning walk. Tomorrow I’m off to be a traveler myself and they’ll likely be gone by the time I’m back. They’ve been good company, but it’s time for them to move on to their next destination. 🧳
Sunday morning strolling in the sweet sunshine. Sunday morning strolling in the sweet sunshine.
"I ain't even here, Sergeant. I'm in Cheyenne, Wyo "I ain't even here, Sergeant. I'm in Cheyenne, Wyoming."
The lay of the land … The lay of the land …
Stopping to reflect on old and new in Amalfi’s p Stopping to reflect on old and new in Amalfi’s port this morning - with a little bit of golden light too.✨

Buon Ferragosto! 🇮🇹
My city by the sea … 💙 #Amalfi My city by the sea … 💙 #Amalfi
I’m back! After some time in the USA with family I’m back! After some time in the USA with family, I’m back home in Amalfi and adjusting to the time with my usual early morning walks. What’s not usual is that there are so many people out and about now compared to when I left in July. At 7:30am this morning there were already people set up at the beach to get those first sun rays that you can see just hitting the beach. Very clever! The water is so clear and pretty in the morning. I enjoy watching the changes that come throughout the season. This morning there were two guys tossing a football on the beach. That was unexpected! 🏈
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue