The Arsenal, first documented in 1042, seat of the Museo della Bussola e del Ducato Marinaro (Museum of the Compass and of the Maritime Duchy), is the symbolic monument of the ancient Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
Here warships, mainly galleys “galee“, which dominated trade in the Mediterranean Sea for several centuries, were built and repaired. The structure, with its system of pointed arches, cross vaults and stone pillars, is reminiscent of Islamic-type buildings. Only two aisles and 10 pillars with a length of about 40 metres of the original construction are left.
The historical wooden galleon, used by the Amalfi team in the Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare, was restored and placed in the centre of the aisle in 2022, as a reminder of the modern challenges with a touch of ancient times between Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice.
The Arsenal houses a number of relics of its glorious past, such as valuable archaeological finds returned from the sea; the Tabula de Amalpha, a maritime codex used throughout the Mediterranean until the 16th century; the tarì, a coin struck by the Amalfi mint and accepted in all major ports from East to West; and nautical orientation tools including the compass, which the Amalfitans were the first to use in the West, revolutionizing navigation techniques to the “new world.”
The plastic model of Amalfi has been on display since 2022: a revisitation of the maritime, urban and social city as it would have appeared in the 13th century.
The right aisle of the Arsenal of the Republic is used for holding weddings, events, concerts and conferences and has a maximum capacity of 100 seats.
The Arsenal of the Republic is also home to the Visit Amalfi info-point with the following days and hours of operation:
- Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (April 1-November 2).
- Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Nov. 3-March 31).
- Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Dec. 26-Jan. 6).
- During the summer months outside the Arsenal will also operate the Fast Information Point from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
