Acerno
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno is a metropolitan province of the Catholic Church located in the Campania region of Italy. It currently has 547,000 baptized members out of a population of 548,900, and is led by Archbishop Andrea Bellandi. The main cities of the archdiocese are Salerno, Campagna, and Acerno.
Patrons
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno honors three patron saints: St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, St. Antoninus the Abbot, and St. Donato of Arezzo. Additionally, St. Felice the Priest, St. Fortunato, Gaio and Ante, and Pope Gregory VII are also important in the religious tradition of the area.
Territory
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno covers an area of 1398 square kilometers, including 162 parishes in 11 different vicariates. The province spans two Campanian provinces: Salerno and Avellino, and includes the municipalities of Acerno, Auletta, Baronissi, Battipaglia, Bellizzi, Bracigliano, Buccino, Caggiano, Calvanico, Campagna, Castel San Giorgio, Castelnuovo di Conza, Castiglione del Genovesi, Colliano, Contursi Terme, Eboli, Fisciano, Giffoni Sei Casali, Giffoni Valle Piana, Laviano, Mercato San Severino, Montecorvino Pugliano, Montecorvino Rovella, Olevano sul Tusciano, Oliveto Citra, Palomonte, Pellezzano, Pontecagnano Faiano, Ricigliano, Romagnano al Monte, Salerno, Salvitelle, San Cipriano Picentino, San Gregorio Magno, San Mango Piemonte, Santomenna, Siano, Valva, Montoro, and Solofra.
Ecclesiastical Province
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno is the capital of the ecclesiastical province of the same name. It includes the following suffragan dioceses: the Archdiocese of Amalfi-Cava de' Tirreni, the Territorial Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Cava de' Tirreni, the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno, the Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro, and the Diocese of Vallo della Lucania.
History
The Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno was created on September 30, 1986 from the union of the Archdiocese of Salerno with the Dioceses of Campagna and Acerno. The spread of Christianity in Salerno dates back to the early years of Christianity, as reported by the "Chronicon Salernitanum", a witness to the cult of Christian martyrs Fortunato, Gaio, and Ante. Throughout history, the province has undergone numerous historical events, including raids by various populations such as the Ostrogoths and the Saracens and the savage attack by the Normans in the eleventh century.
Places of interest
Salerno Cathedral
Salerno Cathedral is the center of the archiepiscopal see. It has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous restorations and has been rebuilt several times. Today, it is one of the most important monuments of the city, both from an architectural and spiritual point of view, and is visited annually by thousands of tourists.
Campagna Concathedral of Santa Maria della Pace
The Concathedral of Santa Maria della Pace in Campagna was built in 1604 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is located in the namesake city, situated at the foot of the Alburni Mountains. The Concathedral contains numerous works of art, including paintings and sculptures. The basilica is a very popular tourist attraction.
Acerno Concathedral of San Donato
The Concathedral of San Donato in Acerno was built in the twelfth century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Acerno, St. Donato of Arezzo. It displays both twelfth-century Romanesque architecture and eighteenth-century Baroque refurbishment. In the eighteenth century, a superb organ was built, which has recently been restored.
Salerno Cathedral Museum
The Salerno Cathedral Museum is located within the area of Salerno Cathedral. It contains a vast collection of works of art, including works by Andrea Sabatini and Andrea Vaccaro. The museum attracts tourists and the curious from all over the world who wish to explore the rich artistic tradition of the province.
In summary, the Archdiocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno has a long history and an extraordinary cultural heritage. Its architectural and artistic beauty, together with the spirituality and religious devotion of its inhabitants, make it a unique and unforgettable place.
