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 some testimonies to its glorious past, such as the precious archaeological artefacts recovered from the sea, the Tabula de Amalpha – a maritime codex used throughout the Mediterranean area until the 16th century; the tarì a coin minted by the Amalfi mint and accepted in all the main ports from East to West; and nautical orientation instruments, including the compass, which Amalfi sailors were the first to use in the West, revolutionising navigation techniques towards 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.
