Duomo di Napoli – A Remarkable Cathedral of Many Faces
The Duomo di Napoli, officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Santa Maria Assunta), is also known as the Cathedral of Saint Januarius. Why so many names? Although Naples is filled with beautiful, historic churches, this cathedral stands out as the city’s most important—home to the Archbishop, making it the “Duomo.” Saint Januarius, the city’s beloved patron saint, rests here, his relics treasured within.
Gothic Pride of the Angevin Dynasty
This impressive Gothic cathedral was built to showcase the power of the Angevin dynasty, who ascended to the throne of Naples in the 13th century. Its location carries symbolic importance: two ancient churches previously stood here—the oldest church in Naples, the 4th-century Basilica of Santa Restituta, and the somewhat newer Basilica of Santa Stefania. Interestingly, only Santa Stefania was demolished; the Basilica of Santa Restituta was incorporated into the new cathedral complex. You can still visit it today from the cathedral’s northern nave. Adjacent to it stands the small Baptistery of San Giovanni, believed to be the oldest surviving Christian baptistery in the world—even older than Rome’s famous Lateran Baptistery. It is adorned with unique late 4th-century mosaics depicting biblical scenes and symbols of early Christianity.
Construction of the cathedral began under Charles II of Anjou in 1294 and was completed quickly, by 1314. However, a devastating earthquake in 1349 destroyed its original façade and bell tower. Paradoxically, this catastrophe paved the way for expansion and further decoration, including the famous Baroque Chapel of the Treasure of Saint Januarius and the underground Succorpo Chapel. Today’s neo-Gothic façade, designed by Errico Alvino, dates from the late 19th century, flanked by two unfinished bell towers.
An Interior Rich in History and Art
Three entrances lead into the cathedral; the main bronze doors proudly bear the coat of arms of the Carafa family, to which Pope Paul IV belonged. The cathedral houses the tomb of Archbishop Oliviero Carafa, a renowned Renaissance patron and statesman who, in 1497, brought back to Naples the relics of Saint Januarius.
The cathedral, with its three naves, stretches about 328 feet long and rises nearly 157 feet high. Its impressive ceiling is a 17th-century coffered structure featuring paintings by Girolamo Imparato. Busts of the first sixteen bishops of Naples adorn the supporting pillars. Five chapels line each side, adding further beauty to the cathedral’s interior, complemented by monumental organs featuring over 5,000 pipes.
Upon entering, don’t miss the inner façade, which houses the tomb of King Charles I of Anjou and sculptures depicting his grandson Charles Martel and his wife Queen Clemence. The main altar features a striking sculpture of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, inspired by Bernini’s renowned masterpiece in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Succorpo Chapel – A Renaissance Jewel
Below the altar lies the Renaissance Succorpo Chapel, founded by Cardinal Oliviero Carafa to hold the relics of Saint Januarius. Widely considered one of Naples’ most exquisite Renaissance treasures, this chapel is a marble masterpiece featuring intricate reliefs, elegant columns, and burial niches. At its heart is a sarcophagus with a bronze urn containing the saint’s sacred relics.
The Chapel of Saint Januarius – Naples’ Treasured Heritage
Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), whose relics rest in the cathedral, was a bishop of Benevento martyred in 305 AD during Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. He was executed alongside five fellow Christians and his deacon in the amphitheater of Pozzuoli. According to legend, his blood was collected in two glass vials that are preserved to this day. Miraculously, this dried blood liquefies three times each year. The transformation differs each time—sometimes filling the vial completely, other times just partially. For the faithful, this event holds great spiritual significance. Scientists describe this phenomenon as “thixotropy,” or “memory of liquids,” but popular belief says that failure of the blood to liquefy predicts disaster for Naples. History records occasions when the miracle did not occur, including just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (1944) and an earthquake (1980).
The miracle of Saint Januarius’ blood has even influenced political events. In January 1799, when revolutionary French forces occupied Naples and established the Parthenopean Republic, the saint unexpectedly performed his miracle outside the regular dates, in the presence of French General Championnet. Neapolitans, interpreting this as the saint’s approval of the French invaders, accused their patron of betrayal. For fifteen years (1799–1814), Saint Januarius was replaced by Saint Anthony of Padua as the city’s protector. During this period, statues and images of San Gennaro were desecrated and thrown into the sea. However, Saint Anthony, revered for protection from fire, proved ineffective when lava from Vesuvius began flowing toward Naples. In desperation, citizens searched for a statue of Januarius. Unable to recover the ones thrown into the bay, they brought a statue from an aqueduct in Maddaloni—and it miraculously halted the lava. Naples thus reconciled with San Gennaro, and King Ferdinand I officially reinstated him as patron saint.
The miracle always happens publicly before believers’ eyes, recurring annually on the first Saturday of May, September 19th, and December 16th. The Church, however, has never permitted scientific examination of the blood to conclusively explain its changes.
The Chapel of Saint Januarius was built in the 17th century by grateful Neapolitans to honor their patron for protecting them from the plague (1526–1529), the French occupation, and volcanic eruptions. On January 13, 1527, the city solemnly vowed on the cathedral’s altar to dedicate funds—1,000 ducats for a tabernacle and 10,000 ducats for building the chapel. Remarkably, this chapel does not belong to the Archdiocese but is owned collectively by the people of Naples, a fact confirmed by papal bulls. Its governance is overseen by an ancient civic institution called the Deputation, under municipal patronage.
The chapel houses seven altars, surrounded by statues of city patrons who protect Naples from various calamities. From its interior, visitors can access the Treasure of Saint Januarius, which holds offerings from kings, nobles, and ordinary citizens, presented to their patron over centuries. The chapel itself is a masterpiece designed by the renowned architect Francesco Grimaldi.
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