Duomo di Napoli and Cappella di San Gennaro

The Duomo di Napoli, on Via Duomo in the Centro Storico, is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Naples and the home of the relics of Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), the city's patron. Construction began under Charles I of Anjou in 1294 and was largely completed under Robert of Anjou in 1315, on the site of earlier Christian buildings. The Gothic structure was damaged by earthquakes and altered repeatedly in the baroque period, and the present facade is a neo-Gothic work of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, the nave and aisles combine Gothic bones with baroque decoration. The Basilica di Santa Restituta, an early Christian church of the 4th century incorporated into the left aisle, preserves ancient columns and a mosaic, and its Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte is among the oldest in the West. The Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro, built between 1608 and 1646 after a vow made during the plague of 1527, is the great baroque treasure of the cathedral, with frescoes by Domenichino, paintings by Jusepe de Ribera and an enormous silver bust-reliquary of the saint. The adjoining Museo del Tesoro holds one of the richest collections of ecclesiastical silver, gems and vestments in Europe. The cathedral is also the setting for the ritual liquefaction of the saint's blood, which is traditionally observed on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, on 19 September and on 16 December. Archaeological excavations beneath the building reveal Greek and Roman remains. Entry to the cathedral is free, while the Treasure Chapel and Museum cost about EUR 13. Dress should cover shoulders and knees, and the church closes for a midday break, so visits are best planned for the morning or late afternoon. The cathedral is a short walk from the Cappella Sansevero and Via dei Tribunali.