Visit the catacombs of San Gennaro

In the bowels of the Sanità district there are some cemeterial areas dating back to the 2nd century BC that are the most important evidence of the Neapolitan Christianity: the catacombs of San Gennaro. 

To reach it, take the 168, 178, C63, or the R4 line bus that leaves from the MANN (Museum) and get off at the Basilica Incoronata-Catacombe San Gennaro bus stop. 

The first people that have been buried here in the 2nd or 3rd century BC are members of a rich Roman family. Then, the lower vestibule was created, where the Neapolitan bishop Sant’Agrippino was buried. On his tomb the cemeterial cathedral was built. 

Later on, the bishop Giovanni wanted San Gennaro to be buried in the lower catacomb, that’s why the catacombs were named after the saint. Since the great cult of San Gennaro, the catacombs expanded rapidly housing many important people until the remains of the saint were stolen by the Lombards. 

After a long period of abandon, the cardinal archbishop Corrado Ursi opened the catacombs of San Gennaro again in 1969.

The Catacombs of San Gennaro are a 5600 square metres area divided in two separated levels into the bowels of Capodimonte hill. 

There is a staircase near the Chiesa dell’Incoronata (Crowned Mary Church) in Capodimonte that leads to the second floor of the catacombs, the upper level, where there is the most ancient painting of the saint and many other frescoes. Here you will also see the Cripta dei Vescovi (Bishops Crypt) and the beautiful three naves basilica adjecta.

At the lower floor of the catacombs there are several tombs dug in the tuff and the basilica ipogea sotterranea, that is an underground cathedral dug in the tuff dedicated to Sant’Agrippino, still used today to celebrate Mess. 

To visit the catacombs you have to wear proper shoes and a sweater, or a rain jacket, even in summer, due to the moisture. 

The paths through the catacombs of Napoli are high and wide so you won’t feel oppressed.

But still they are closed underground paths so those who suffer from claustrophobia may feel anxious.