The Metropolitan Primatial Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, San Matteo e San Gregorio VII, or Duomo di Salerno, was founded by Robert Guiscard. In March 1081 the crypt was inaugurated and in July 1084, the church was consecrated by Pope Gregory VII himself, who had taken refuge in Salerno. The Cathedral is modeled on the Desiderio Abbey in Montecassino with a basilica-type plan composed of three longitudinal naves, a transept and a quadriportico.
The current appearance largely corresponds to the Baroque renovation, started after the earthquake of 5 June 1688 and designed by the Neapolitan architect Arcangelo Guglielmelli, modified and completed by the Roman architect Carlo Buratti.
The current entrance has modified the medieval one with the sculptural couple of the lion and the lioness. The atrium is surrounded by a portico supported by 28 bare columns with raised round arches, which echo Islamic typologies.
It is enriched on all sides by a series of Roman sarcophagi, reused in medieval times, configuring itself as a sort of Pantheon of the city. On the southern side stands a high bell tower from the mid-12th century.