These wide tunnels lined with early Christian burial niches grew around the tomb of an important pagan family, but became a pilgrimage site when the bones of San Gennaro himself were transferred here in 5th century.
Along with several well-preserved 6th-century frescoes there is a depiction of San Gennaro from the AD 400s whose halo sports an alpha and omega, and a cross—symbols normally reserved exclusively for Christ's halo.
The tour takes you through the upper level of tunnels, passing through several small early basilicas carved from the tufa.
The cemetery remained active until the 11th century, but most of the bones have since been blessed and re-interred in ossuaries on the lower levels (closed to the public).
The catacombs survived the centuries intact, but those precious antique frescoes suffered some damage when these tunnels served as an air raid shelter during World War II.
Via Tondo di Capodimonte 13 (enter around the left of the Basilica del Madre di Bonconsiglio and through the gate)
tel. +39- 081-544-1305
www.catacombedinapoli.it
Open by guided tour only, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–1pm (tours leave only if more than one person shows up).
€9
Bus: C63, R4, 178, M2, 201
Hop-on/hop-off:
Catacomb S. Gennaro, Capodimonte (A)
Planning your day:Tours of the catacombs take about 40 minutes
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Via Tondo di Capodimonte 13 (enter around the left of the Basilica del Madre di Bonconsiglio and through the gate)
tel. +39- 081-544-1305
www.catacombedinapoli.it
Open by guided tour only, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–1pm (tours leave only if more than one person shows up).
€9
Bus: C63, R4, 178, M2, 201
Hop-on/hop-off:
Catacomb S. Gennaro, Capodimonte (A)
This article was written by Reid Bramblett and was last updated in June 2015.
All information was accurate at the time.
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