Thanks to the support of the Municipality of Naples, the artist Jorit has given back to the city one of its most iconic symbols: the mural of San Gennaro: the work, created in 2015 on the facade of a building in the Forcella district, had been damaged by time and atmospheric agents.
At the request of Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, Jorit intervened to restore the gigantic portrait of the patron saint of Naples, giving new life to an image that is now an integral part of the urban landscape. “The mural dedicated to San Gennaro has been returned to the city in all its splendor thanks to a targeted restoration intervention, carried out by the artist with the support of the Municipality. This work is more than a simple painting: it is a message of collective identity that connects Naples to its roots and its present”, declared Sergio Locoratolo, coordinator of the cultural policies of the Municipality.
Jorit, known for his works that blend art and social commitment, has chosen to represent San Gennaro with the features of a young Neapolitan worker, an intense gaze turned to the sky that transmits strength and hope. His unmistakable style is marked by the famous dark red streaks, symbol of human tribe, the global community that the artist tells through his murals.
“All outdoor art needs maintenance”, Jorit explained. “I am delighted that the Municipality of Naples has had the sensitivity to support the restoration of 'Gennaro', a work to which I am deeply attached”. The restoration project reaffirms the value of street art as a tool of memory and identity for the community. Located a few steps from the Cathedral, where the treasure of the saint is kept, the mural of San Gennaro continues to tell the story of today's Naples, with its challenges, its beauties and its inexhaustible energy.
Article published on 18 February 2025 - 10:22
And a beautiful restoration intervention that of Jorit. San Gennaro is a strong symbol for Naples, and seeing that the mural has been restored is a pleasure. I hope that other murals will receive similar care in the future to keep the culture alive.
The mural of San Gennaro is a beautiful representation of Neapolitan art, but I think there needs to be more attention to the maintenance of the other murals in the city, because they too are important for culture.