Along a coastline that resembles a Jackson Pollock painting, dots of color against limestone and packed rock, Salerno might at first glance strike some as drab. Despite being the heart of Salerno Province, Salerno is the plain looking passer-by you might walk past. But we ask you to stop and strike a conversation with Salerno and you’ll soon find yourself flipping past the pages of Italy’s history clustered into a single city.

The religious figure of the city, Salerno Cathedral is an old landmark of 1000 years. At 56m, the bell tower’s unique cylindrical dome can be seen from throughout the village, notes of Arabic and Norman origin running around it. Where the knowledge of medicine first bloomed in Europe in the form of a medical school there now bud roses and tulips, a garden aptly names after the Roman Goddess of Wisdom Minerva. The archeologist of Salerno takes the form of a museum recounting the days of cavemen and ancient Greeks to a rapt audience. Proud walls still standing, Castle Arechi is a king on a throne 300m above the sea with his subjects as red clay shingled roofs at his feet. With a parting wave, Trieste Lungomare extends its arms by the promenade and offers up a quiet seat beneath palms as you watch the sun go down.

So stop by Salerno for an unforgettable conversation and interesting encounters.