Basilica of San Francesco di Paola

The Royal Pontifical Basilica of San Francesco di Paola in Naples is an imposing monument and one of the main examples of neoclassical architecture in Italy. Located in the majestic Piazza del Plebiscito, the basilica is a historical and artistic landmark, thanks to its impressive structure that strongly resembles the Pantheon in Rome. The history of the basilica is closely linked to the tumultuous events of the early 19th century. In 1809, Gioacchino Murat, Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother-in-law and king of Naples, initiated an ambitious urban renewal project that included the construction of a large square, initially called Foro Gioacchino. However, with Murat’s fall and the return of the Bourbons, the project was taken up by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, who decided to build a church as a sign of gratitude for the restoration of his kingdom. The construction of the basilica began in 1816 under the guidance of architect Pietro Bianchi and was completed in 1846. The building features a facade characterized by a portico with six Ionic columns of Carrara marble, made by Carlo Beccalli. Above the entablature is a triangular pediment adorned with statues of San Francesco di Paola, San Ferdinando di Castiglia, and Religion, the latter two sculpted by Heinrich Konrad Schweickle. Inside, the basilica impresses with its circular plan and a dome 53 meters high, decorated with coffers and externally clad in Gaeta limestone. The floor is made of polychrome marble, arranged in an elegant geometric pattern. The thirty-six Mondragone marble columns, eleven meters high, surround the wide central nave, creating a monumental effect. The dome ceiling, with its coffered structure, further amplifies the sense of grandeur and solemnity. The basilica houses several side chapels, including one dedicated to Purgatory, with paintings by Luca Giordano and Paolo De Matteis, and another to the Most Holy Sacrament, richly decorated with polychrome marbles and works by Neoclassical Neapolitan artists. The main altar, designed by Ferdinando Fuga for the Church of the Holy Apostles, is made of porphyry, lapis lazuli, and agate, adding a touch of magnificence to the entire structure. One of the curiosities related to the basilica is its resemblance to the Pantheon in Rome. This choice is not random, as Bianchi’s project aimed to create a work that reflected the power and stability of the restored Bourbon monarchy, using an architectural language inspired by the great temples of antiquity. This resemblance is particularly evident in the circular structure of the central nave and the majestic dome.