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The Sansevero Chapel is one of the most famous and important museums in Naples. Its facade is located in De Sanctis Street, in the vicinity of Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. Today it is a deconsecrated church and is adjacent to the family palace of the princes of the di Sangro lineage.
The chapel currently houses some enchanting masterpieces of art, above all the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino, world-renowned for its marble veil sculpted with superlative technique, and the Anatomical Machines, fleshed-out bodies on which the entire human circulatory system can be seen.
The Sansevero Chapel was not only a place of worship, but also a Masonic Temple decorated with many symbolic elements reflecting the genius of Raimondo di Sangro, seventh prince of Sansevero, the patron and artistic creator of the complex.
History and origins of the Sansevero Chapel
According to one legend, the church was built on a pre-existing temple named after the goddess Isis, but there is another ancient story according to which an innocent man about to be put in prison sees a wall fall and the image of Our Lady appear. The man promises the Virgin to dedicate an inscription to her if he is found innocent, and he is.
The holy image became a pilgrimage destination, and Giovan Francesco di Sangro himself, Duke of Torremaggiore, asked Our Lady to intercede for his health. After the healing, he decided to have a votive temple built under the name of chapel of St. Mary of Mercy, also known as Pietatella.
Regardless of the true origin of the Sansevero Chapel, it is certain that construction work on the little church began in 1593. Its aristocratic appearance was reorganized by Raymond of Sangro in the eighteenth century and today little remains of the seventeenth-century forms. In fact, the original layout has been modified since the 1840s, when the Prince of Sangro decided to expand and refine it with works of art to celebrate the grandeur of his household.
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For this purpose, the Neapolitan nobleman hired several internationally renowned artists, including Giuseppe Sanmartino, Francesco Queirolo, and Antonio Corradini. The prince spent much of his fortune to complete such works and in some cases even had to incur debts. However, the man was a very generous but at the same time demanding client and very often preferred to direct the work himself.
In 1889, due to water infiltration, the bridge that joined the chapel to the family palace collapsed and part of the frescoes and floor designs were lost. Restorers were unable to recreate the damaged original floor, and in 1901 they preferred to repave it with Neapolitan cooked. Instead, the coat of arms of the di Sangro family in the center of the floor has been reconstructed with blue and yellow enamel, the colors of the lineage.
What to see in the Sansevero Chapel
The Sansevero Chapel is a concentration of works of art including paintings, frescoes, sculptures and fine marble decorations. The main attraction inside is the famous Veiled Christ, positioned in the nave. The statue was originally commissioned from Antonio Corradini, who died prematurely in 1752, and the commission passed to Giuseppe Sanmartino.
It is a life-size marble statue depicting the body of Christ covered by the shroud after his death. Looking closely at the work, one can grasp all the details of the thin veil of marble, whose folds and ripples are truly realistic. The vein on the forehead and the nails on the hands and feet are just some of the details that leave visitors speechless.
Since Raimondo di Sangro was also an alchemist with ties to the world of Freemasonry, a legend of the time says that the veil would be a real cloth converted into marble through an alchemical process called marbling. However, this is only a popular belief, and there is no doubt that the sculpture was made entirely of marble.
One can then observe the Anatomical Machines in the Underground Cave. They are displayed in two glass cases and consist of two human skeletons whose circulatory systems are accurately reproduced in minute detail.
The machines were built by Dr. Joseph Salerno the mid-18th century and were later acquired by Prince Raimondo di Sangro after a performance by the doctor in Naples. One legend has it that the nobleman allegedly had two servants killed and then had them embalmed and used for scientific purposes. In truth, a study has confirmed that the two bodies are composed of several substances, including dyes and beeswax.
Along the main aisle of the Sansevero Chapel are arranged 10 statues symbolizing the virtues to be respected: Liberality, Decorum, Zeal of Religion, Modesty, Disenchantment, Suavity of the Conjugal Yoke, Sincerity, Divine Love, Education and Self-Reliance.
In addition, it is possible to admire several memorials dedicated to various members of the di Sangro family. Most notable among these works is the tomb of Prince Raimondo di Sangro, which appears quite sober and austere.
As for chapel access tickets, however, the full ticket costs 10 €, while the reduced ticket (children from 10 to 25 years old) costs 7 €. Instead, disabled people pay the 7 € ticket and children under 9 years old get in for free.
The Sansevero Chapel is therefore a treasure of inestimable artistic and historical value that deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. To do so, we suggest this esoteric Naples tour to discover the Sansevero Chapel. The walking tour starts from Piazza San Domenico Maggiore and then moves to the chapel to learn all its secrets. Don't waste time and come with us to learn about one of the most mysterious places in Naples!
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