MUNICIPALITY: Amalfi
NAME: Cloister of Paradise
LOCATION: Piazza Duomo
DESCRIPTION: The Cloister was built in the mid-13th century by Bishop Augustariccio, to create the cemetery of the Amalfi nobility, although burials lasted only until the 1500s because of the hygienic conditions that arose.
Parts of the nearby Basilica del Crocifisso (basilica of the Crucifix) had to be sacrificed to build the structure. It is developed on four sides with openings to a central garden made out of interlaced pointed arches resting on slender twinned columns with crutch capitals.
The fresco of the Crucifixion on the south side is interesting, and it narrates on two registers the theme of Calvary through accents proper to the painting of Roberto d’Odorisio.
Numerous sarcophagi and marble balustrades recall the purpose for which the Cloister was built.
SEE, VISIT, FIND: Access by ticket according to the following hours: 9:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m.
FRUITION DATA: Approximately 200,000 visitors per year.
OPPORTUNITIES: Information panels on the exhibits would be needed (there are some only for the mosaics on the north side).
BIBLIOGRAPHY: (a c.) GARGANO O, Amalfi la città famosa, la città da scoprire, Amalfi 1995.
MANCINI T., Frammento di affresco nel Chiostro del Paradiso di Amalfi, in RCCSA, a. IV, n°7, pagg. 155 e ss. IV, n°7, pagg. 155 e ss.
