Its foundation dates back to the Romans ( his coat of arms bears the inscription Descendit former patribus Romanorum ) . From the ninth century , first ( in chronological order) between the maritime republics , rivaled Pisa, Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean Sea .

The Maritime Code of Amalfi, better known as the Amalfi Tables , had a great influence until the seventeenth century.
Amalfi reached its maximum splendor in the XI century , then began a rapid decline: in 1131 it was conquered by the Normans and nel1135 and 1137 and sacked by Pisa. In 1343 , then , a storm resulting tsunami destroyed much of the city .
The most famous monument of Amalfi is certainly the Duomo in Arab-Sicilian style and currently dedicated to Saint Andrew , the patron saint of the city. Fact that most of you should talk Duomo Cathedral complex , as the current building is overlapping and shadowing of the various churches of various ages. The first building dedicated to Christian worship, was an early Christian church dating back to the sixth century AD , which , as in many similar cases throughout Italy, probably replaced a temple dedicated to the Roman gods . Between the sixth and ninth centuries AD, the first cathedral built on the former early Christian , was dedicated to the Holy Mary of the Assumption , patron saint of Amalfi before . The present church dedicated to St. Andrew dates from the ninth century AD , it was built next to the previous and communicating with the same , commissioned by the Duke Manso I, later additions were made to it in medieval and baroque ( as the Campanile , the ' altar of St. Andrew, with two statues by Bernini , the Cloister of Paradise , erected by Bishop Philip Augustariccio and where there was a high-relief sarcophagus representing " the wedding of Peleus and Thetis " on the lateral surface and " Romulus and Remus suckled by the wolf "to one of the leaders , with the inscription medieval " Cesarius de Alaneo ( Alagna ) Amalfi .... MCCLXIII "," CESAREUS Alaneo IACET ARCHIDIACONUS ISTE IURIBUS ornatus WHICH PRESTES COELIVA Criste Electus FUERAT Salerni QUIEVIT PROVIDUS ET LARGUS fOR DEATH FAMAM SUAM CREVIT " his seal is preserved in the Diocesan Museum of Salerno. 4 the bronze doors with panels of silver depicting Christ , the Virgin , St. Andrew and St. Peter, made ​​in 1066 in Constantinople , on commission of the Noble Pantaleon Comite de Maurone ; coffered ceiling covered in gold ) .

  Amalfi view from the sea Traditionally, every year a crew of rowers Amalfi participate in the Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics , challenging the arms of the cities of Genoa, Pisa and Venice.
For a misinterpretation of a Latin text , which instead reported that the invention of the compass was attributed by the historian Flavio Biondo to Amalfi , the philologist Giambattista Pio claimed that the compass was invented dall'amalfitano Flavio Gioia . In the text in question ( Amalphi in Campania veterinary Magnetis usus inventus Flavio traditur ), however, does not mean Flavio as the inventor of the compass, but only as one who reported the news just Flavio Biondo [4]. But it seems that the sailors of Amalfi were among the first to use that tool , and the correct name of the probable inventor of the compass would be John Joy [5] .
Particularly successful in the history of the city , still alive and only two remaining mills on the many present and now in ruins, is the paper industry, linked to the production of fine paper of Amalfi. In the city it is possible to visit the Museum of Amalfi paper .
 
Source: Wikipedia