Church of Santa Maria della Sapienza

The Church of Santa Maria della Sapienza, located in the heart of Naples along via Costantinopoli, is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture. Its construction began in 1625 based on a design by Francesco Grimaldi and was completed in 1630 by Giacomo Di Conforto, with subsequent interventions by Cosimo Fanzago and Dionisio Lazzari. These last two artists left a significant mark on the facade and interiors of the church, with Fanzago responsible for the overall design and Lazzari for the white marble embellishments. The facade of the church, although simple in its Renaissance style, is enriched by marble decorations that enhance its elegance. Inside, the church features a single nave with side chapels, decorated with polychrome marbles and golden stuccoes. The white and slate marble floor, designed by Lazzari, is similar to that of the church of San Gregorio Armeno, giving the environment a refined and harmonious look. The frescoes adorning the vault and apse are the work of Cesare Fracanzano, while the dome is decorated with frescoes by Belisario Corenzio, although many of these have been lost over the years. The walls of the church are enriched with paintings by various renowned artists of the time, including Massimo Stanzione, Andrea Vaccaro, Micco Spadaro, Hendrick van Somer, and Giovanni Bernardo Lama. These works, originally located in the church, were later removed to preserve them and are now visible in some city museums or stored in the deposits of the Superintendence. One of the most interesting aspects of the Church of Santa Maria della Sapienza is the Chapel of the Holy Stairs, located within the complex. This chapel, open to the public only on rare occasions, is particularly fascinating from both an artistic and architectural point of view. However, over the years the church has suffered various deteriorations due to water infiltrations and lack of maintenance. The monastery attached to the church was partially demolished at the end of the 19th century to make way for the construction of the Policlinico, which now stands behind the structure. The remaining part of the monastery continues to house some nuns who offer hospitality services for out-of-town students.