According to tradition the relics of San Matteo were found a Velia, the ancient Elea. Here, probably, they arrived around the fifth century and only later were they destined for the city of Salerno, where they have been kept since the mid-XNUMXth century. History and legend still today recall the 'long journey' of the Apostle's remains who, in memory and culture, remain well anchored to the places crossed.
San Matteo: story of a long journey ...
The 'translation of the relics of San Matteo'certainly also belongs to the history of Cilento. It was in Velia that from the fifth century the remains of the saint lay. Only a few centuries later they were found and brought to the nearby church today located in the locality of Casal Velino Marina.
The illustrious geographer Joseph Antonini, in the first half of the 1700s describes the place as follows: "Between Velia and Casalicchio at the meeting is an island formed by two rivers, that is, by the Alento, which is itself clear, is named, and by another small one without a name, which falls from the slopes of the Mountain called Stella. Ab antico was here a church, which still exists, dedicated to San Matteo, and is called S. Matteo ad duo flumina ".
Here, therefore, his journey to 'the capital' begins; Salerno will forever guard his remains in the majestic Cathedral.
The first stop on the long journey is the locality 'ad duo flumina', a river island formed by the Alento and its tributary which at the time had its own mouth into the sea. At the Marina di Casal Velino the cult of the Saint is particularly felt. Inside the chapel, known today as San Matteo, there is an XNUMXth century inscription which commemorates the passage of the Apostle. In the small seaside resort, moreover, on the occasion of the festivity, the traditional procession takes place. Leaving the land occupied by the veils, the relics skirt the Alento before reaching the city of Caputaquis (Capaccio).
A fountain, a legend: the stop in Rutino
The distance between the lands of Velia and Paestum was accentuated by road difficulties. According to legend, the porters were exhausted from fatigue; near the built-up area of Rutino, just as they were about to collapse to the ground, a spring gushed out at the edge of the road which offered them refreshment. The fountain is still clearly visible and is called San Matteo. After a stop in the church of the Saints Peter and Paul, located in the village, they resumed their journey.
The relics thus arrived among the ruins of the temples of Paestum and placed in the cathedral; then they rested in the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Granato. Later, taking into account the continuous Saracen raids, in 954 they were destined for the city of Salerno. After a temporary arrangement, they found their definitive location in the Cathedral.
The cathedral was built in the XNUMXth century. The architecture of the bell tower that stands out in the heart of the historic center is marvelous. Inside, on the other hand, the crypt which has kept the remains of the Apostle Matthew for centuries is of great value. The city pays homage to the one who is considered the author of the well-known Gospel, with a rich religious program. A month before the 'Cloth of San Matteo'which announces the approach of the anniversary. The most heartfelt moment for Salerno, the faithful and the numerous visitors who come for the occasion, is undoubtedly the characteristic procession. The September 21th starting from the historic center the silver statue of the evangelist crosses the main streets. At the conclusion of the festivity the inevitable fireworks display.
