September 19th is not a date like any other for Naples.
On this day, in fact, the city’s patron saint San Gennaro is celebrated.
San Gennaro: between cult and folklore
San Gennaro: between cult and folklore
The miracle of San Gennaro
The figure of the saint is an object of worship and folklore. “The dissolution of blood” ritual is famous all over the world .
In the Duomo they are kept, together with some remains of Santo’s bones, two ampoules that the Neapolitan tradition considers full of his blood.
The dissolution of the saint’s blood on a few specific days (first Sunday of May, September 19th and December 16th) is a sign of good luck.
The earliest known records regarding the ampoules date back to 1389.
These are currently kept in the safe place behind the San Gennaro’s chapel altar.
Royal chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro
The Duomo, in Baroque style was built, starting from the year 1608, at the will of the Neapolitans people for a vote to San Gennaro.
This, in fact, does not belong to the curia, but to the city of Naples.
The chapel has a Greek cross plan and inside there are 19 bronze sculptures among which San Gennaro stands out (from 1645).
Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro
The entrance to the museum is located next to the Cathedral of the Cappella del Tesoro.
Born in 2003, the museum is about seven hundred square meters large and houses jewels, statues, precious fabrics and valuable paintings.
The masterpieces that make up the Treasury are the result of seven centuries of donations by popes, kings, emperors and common people.
Among the precious items there is a bishop’s headdress from 1713 by Matteo Treglia. In it are set numerous precious stones such as diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
Address: Via Duomo, 149 – 80138 Naples NA
Follow us