Catacombs of San Gennaro

The Catacombs of San Gennaro, located in Naples, represent one of the most important early Christian funerary complexes in Southern Italy. Situated in the Rione Sanità, these catacombs extend over two main levels, called San Gennaro Superiore and San Gennaro Inferiore, carved into tuff, a typical volcanic rock of the region. This vast underground labyrinth offers an extraordinary testimony of the life and faith of the early Christian communities of Naples. The origins of the catacombs date back to the 2nd-3rd century AD, when they were used as a burial place for the early Christians. One of the key figures associated with the catacombs is Saint Agrippinus, one of the first bishops of Naples, whose remains were buried here. The presence of his tomb made this site an important place of pilgrimage and led to the construction of an underground basilica in his honor. In the 4th century, the catacombs gained further importance with the burial of Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, whose relics were transferred here in the 5th century, further increasing the prestige of the site. The catacombs are known for their spacious architecture, with wide corridors and numerous rooms, features that differentiate them from the narrower Roman catacombs. The lower level, the oldest, features numerous loculi, arcosolia, and cubicula decorated with frescoes depicting Christian symbols, biblical scenes, and portraits of saints. Among the most notable frescoes is a portrait of Saint Gennaro, one of the oldest paintings of the saint, which shows the importance of the cult dedicated to him since the early centuries of Christianity. The upper level, developed later, also preserves important artistic and architectural evidence. One of the most fascinating features of this level is the large underground basilica, dedicated to San Gennaro, with an altar and a cathedra carved directly into the tuff. This sacred environment was used for liturgical celebrations and represents a rare example of underground religious architecture. During the Middle Ages, the catacombs were mainly used as a burial place for the bishops of Naples and other members of the clergy. However, over the centuries, they were subject to looting and acts of vandalism, which led to the dispersal of many of the original relics. It was only in the 20th century that an important work of recovery and restoration began, allowing the magnificence of this extraordinary site to be brought to light. An interesting aspect of the catacombs is their use during World War II as a shelter for the local population during bombings. This modern use of the catacombs once again underlines their importance as a place of protection and safety for the Neapolitan community.