San Pietro a Corte, Archaeological complex in central Salerno, Italy
San Pietro a Corte is an archaeological site buried beneath modern Salerno that contains layers from different eras. The location reveals remnants of Roman bathing facilities, an early Christian church, a Lombard-era chapel, and a medieval public palace stacked one above the other.
In 774 Duke Arigis II of Benevento built a government palace here that rose upon existing Roman structures. The palace shows how medieval rulers reused older buildings to establish their authority.
The church took shape in the 5th century when Christians repurposed an old Roman room as a place of worship. The site became an important gathering spot for the faithful of that era.
The site remains open to visitors year-round with informational displays at the excavations. A guided tour helps you understand the overlapping eras visible across the compact space.
Excavations uncovered marble stone fragments with letters that were originally covered in gold leaf and dedicated to the palace builder Arigis II. These inscription remains offer rare glimpses into the decoration of medieval ruler residences.
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