RAVELLO. – Ancient diocese and town in the province of Salerno. Some consider R. a foundation of the Gothic age, others of Amalfi, whose Duchy it later became part of; it was sacked by the Pisans in 1137; its most flourishing period was during the thirteenth century, to which the artistic Palazzo Rufolo and several churches belong.
The diocese was created in 1087 by Pope Vittore III, who consecrated its first bishop, Orso, a Benedictine monk. Urban II declared it immediately subject to the Holy See and consecrated its second bishop, Costantino Rogadeo. He was followed by G. Rufolo, P. Pironti, L. Rogadei, G. Allegri Ottano, F. Castaldi, A. Agmensi, later a cardinal, and N. Campanile; in 1536 the cardinal Quignones became its administrator; later came L. Beccadelli and P. De Curtis, a Theatine, subsequently vicegerent of Rome under Clement VIII, who died in Rome in 1629. In 1603 the said Pope united the see of R. with that of Scala, the bishops remaining directly subject as bishops of R. and suffragans of Amalfi as bishops of Scala. The two dioceses were governed by Msgrs. F. Benni, M. Bonsi, O. Verme, C. Puccitelli, B. Pannicola, G. Sagezi, L. Di Capua, N. Rocco, G. Perimezzi, and finally S. Miccù, transferred to Amalfi in 1804. Pius VII, by the bull De utiliori, suppressed the two dioceses, uniting them with Amalfi.
The cathedral, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Assumed into Heaven, has three naves divided by pillars; it was erected by Bishop Orso and transformed in the eighteenth century into its present form. The pulpit, executed by Niccolò da Foggia in 1272, depicts scenes from the story of Jonah; the episcopal throne is likewise contemporary. The thirteenth-century bell tower has biforate windows; the bronze portal is by Barisano da Trani and bears the date 1179. Other notable churches are S. Giovanni in Toro, also with three naves, S. Agostino, S. Maria a Gradillo, the Annunziata, S. Martino, and S. Antonio with its elegant cloister. The monasteries of S. Maria, SS. Trifone e Biagio (late eleventh century) and the convent for women of the S.ma Trinità (mid-tenth century) flourished in R. – Vedi tav. XXIII.