Arechi Castle

Castello di Arechi commands a hilltop position at around 240 metres on Monte Bonadies above Salerno, overlooking the entire Gulf of Salerno. The fortification dates to the 6th century, when Byzantine forces first built a stronghold here; Lombard prince Arechi II expanded it substantially in the 8th century, lending the castle his name. Norman rulers later added further layers, meaning the surviving walls represent nearly six centuries of overlapping construction phases. Designated an Italian national monument, the castle is open to visitors who reach it via a hillside path — on clear days the panoramic views stretch along the Amalfi Coast and out to the islands scattered across the gulf.