St. Sophia Complex and Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Complex of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Monastery of St. Sophia has an ancient history. The monastery dates back as a foundation to the 9th century and thus is of Longobard origin, as evidenced also by its name, which recalls the Church of Benevento and the imperial church of Constantinople, dedicated to the Saint of Knowledge.

After various vicissitudes, in 1500 the Jesuits arrived in Salerno and settled in the monastery, building the church in the form in which we see it today. The beautiful stairs that gives access to the church is evidence of the scenic intent characteristic of the Counter-Reformation and the Jesuits’ vocation for sacred representation. The whole square results strongly scenic, in one of the characteristic places of the Roman city, identified by some as the site of the Forum, and certainly the departure of the road that led to Nocera.

Today the church is used as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions. The interior is enriched by mural paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The former 9th-century monastery was first male and then female, under the jurisdiction of the Benedictine Abbey of Cava. Today the building, which overlooks largo Abate Conforti, is characterized in two bodies of buildings joined by a passageway with a garden.

On the elevation of Via Trotula de Ruggiero, a perforated square of interlaced arches, attributable to the 13th century, has emerged.

Since 2018, a section of the complex has housed the Palazzo Innovazione, a co-working space for start-ups, businesses and individuals.

The Church of the’Addolorata is open for exhibitions and cultural events.

The name of Our Lady of Sorrows is from the 19th century, when the church passed precisely to the brotherhood of the same name.