Naples is a city captivating with its millennia-old history, rich in legends and traditions. Beneath the surface, amidst its streets and squares, mysterious and evocative places lie hidden: secret crypts. These subterranean spaces, often hidden from view, tell stories of faith, power, and ancient rites. In this article, we'll explore some of the city's most fascinating crypts, places where time seems to have stood still.
Crypt of San Gennaro: Spiritual and Historical Heart
The Crypt of San Gennaro, located in the Naples Cathedral, is one of the city's most iconic sites. Also known as the Cappella del Succorpo or the Confessione di San Gennaro, it was commissioned by Cardinal Oliviero Carafa in 1497 to house the relics of Naples' patron saint, transferred from Montevergine. The chapel was completed in 1506 and represents an extraordinary example of Renaissance art. The space features a polychrome majolica floor and cipollino marble columns dividing the space into three naves. At the center, the altar houses an urn containing the relics of San Gennaro, while a marble statue of Cardinal Carafa in prayer watches over the sacred area. The chapel is also a place of great symbolic significance, as it represents the profound bond between the Neapolitan people and their patron saint.
The Crypt of San Domenico Maggiore: Art, History, and Noble Tombs
The Crypt of San Domenico Maggiore, located in the heart of the historic center of Naples, is one of the most evocative and history-rich places in the city.
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In addition to the tombs, the crypt also houses works of remarkable value, such as the marble tondo attributed to the workshop of Giuseppe Sanmartino, depicting the Virgin and Child with the Souls in Purgatory. This masterpiece, created around 1783, is one of the crypt's focal points and testifies to the high artistic level achieved during that period. A visit to the Crypt of San Domenico Maggiore therefore offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and art of Naples, discovering one of its most fascinating and mysterious places.
Crypta Neapolitana: A Millenary Tunnel Between History and Legend
The Crypta Neapolitana is an underground tunnel dating back to the 1st century BC, built to facilitate connections between Neapolis and Puteoli. This tunnel, approximately 700 meters long, was constructed by the engineer Lucius Cocceius Aucto on the orders of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, general and advisor to Emperor Augustus. Its primary function was to allow Roman troops to pass through Monte Grillo, avoiding the longer and more tortuous route through the surrounding hills. The construction of the Crypta Neapolitana represents an extraordinary example of Roman engineering, which succeeded in excavating a tunnel through the tuff rock using techniques that were advanced for the time.
Beyond its practical function, the tunnel also holds considerable historical and cultural significance, as it bears witness to the ties between the cities of Neapolis and Puteoli and their role in the Roman Empire. Over the centuries, the Crypta Neapolitana has been the subject of numerous studies and research, which have helped unravel its mysteries and enhance its historical and archaeological heritage.
Comments (1)
The article is very interesting, and I appreciated the description of the crypts of Naples. Much of the information is clear, but perhaps there could have been more detail about the history of each one.