No Italian village would be complete without its church tower and spires. What Ravello’s cathedral lacks in terms of imposing spires and jaw-dropping embellishments on its exterior, it makes up for the treasures it secures within.

If you find yourself melting in the heat out on Piazza Vescovanda, Ravello cathedral welcomes you into its shade with its doors flung wide open. Though the alabaster white exteriors are of a more recent design, the cathedral was first constructed in the year 1086, nearly a millennium ago. Though most of the Byzantine, Baroque and Romanesque features have been chipped away by one restoration project after another, a few key elements still captivate the eye from entry to exit. First on the list is Barisano da Trani’s bronze door, 54 unique panels identifying it as one of only 3 designed by Trani which remain in Italy. Twisted marble and mosaic tiles from Syria, odd lines crouched low: all these elements come together to form the unique pulpit. A museum ensemble of artifacts and faded frescoes add an air of antiquity to the otherwise unadorned structure. Much might have changed but the cathedral’s essence in creating a space for solace remains unaltered.