Sansevero Chapel Museum

The Sansevero Chapel, located in the heart of the historic center of Naples, is one of the most fascinating artistic and cultural treasures of the city. Founded in 1590 by the Duke of Torremaggiore, Giovanni Francesco di Sangro, the chapel was created as a sign of gratitude for a miraculous healing attributed to the intercession of the Virgin Mary. During the 18th century, the chapel was transformed into an extraordinary Baroque monument by Prince Raimondo di Sangro, the seventh Prince of Sansevero, a man of extraordinary culture and scientific curiosity. Upon entering the Sansevero Chapel, one is immediately struck by the opulence and beauty of the artworks that adorn it. The centerpiece is the famous “Veiled Christ” by Giuseppe Sanmartino, sculpted in 1753. This marble sculpture is renowned for the transparent veil covering the body of Christ, so realistic that it appears to be real fabric. Legend has it that the veil was obtained through an alchemical process, but in reality, it is the result of the sculptor’s technical skill. In addition to the “Veiled Christ,” the chapel houses other works of exceptional value. “The Disillusionment” by Francesco Queirolo, completed in 1754, depicts a man freeing himself from a net, symbolizing the struggle against error and deception. The statue is particularly remarkable for the delicacy with which the marble net was sculpted, a true technical challenge. Another impactful work is “Modesty” by Antonio Corradini, which portrays a veiled woman symbolizing purity. Corradini managed to make the marble veil appear almost transparent with such lightness. The ceiling of the chapel is frescoed with the “Glory of Paradise” by Francesco Maria Russo, a composition celebrating the ascension to heaven through a triumph of angels and saints. The flooring, made of Neapolitan terracotta, follows a complex labyrinth design, symbolizing the initiatory and spiritual path dear to Raimondo di Sangro. One of the most mysterious aspects of the chapel are the so-called “Anatomical Machines.” These are two skeletons, one male and one female, showing in detail the human circulatory system. These works, attributed to Giuseppe Salerno, have long been the subject of speculation regarding the technique used for their creation. Some theories, never confirmed, suggested that the blood vessels were created by injecting a substance into the still living bodies. The history of the Sansevero Chapel is closely linked to the enigmatic figure of Raimondo di Sangro. Prince, scientist, inventor, and alchemist, Raimondo was a man of many talents and many shadows. His passion for science and the occult has fueled numerous legends, making the chapel not only a place of art and beauty, but also a symbol of mystery and esoteric charm.