Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo

The Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo stands on Piazza del Gesù Nuovo in the Centro Storico of Naples, in Italy's Campania region, and is instantly recognisable by its unusual facade of pointed stone blocks, known as diamond-point rustication. The facade belonged to the Palazzo Sanseverino, a 15th-century palace, and was kept when the Jesuits converted the building into a church in the late 16th century. The result is a church whose austere, fortress-like exterior contrasts sharply with an interior that is one of the richest baroque spaces in the city. Visitors step into a large Greek-cross plan crowned by a dome, with walls and chapels covered in coloured marble, gilded stucco, frescoes and sculpture by some of the leading Neapolitan artists of the 17th and 18th centuries. The entrance wall carries a large fresco, and the side chapels hold altarpieces and tombs. Entry is free, and a visit takes about thirty minutes, although those who like to study the decoration may stay longer. The church is open with a midday closure, so mornings and late afternoons are best. It is quietest in the morning, while crowds can build around services and special occasions. The church sits across the piazza from the Santa Chiara complex and is a few minutes on foot from Cappella Sansevero and Spaccanapoli, which makes it a convenient stop on a walk through the old city. The best view of the exterior is from the centre of the piazza, where the whole diamond-point facade can be seen. Visitors should dress modestly, as the building is an active place of worship.