Catacombs of Naples: San Gaudioso & San Gennaro

Admire beautifully preserved frescoes depicting biblical scenes, saints, and early Christian symbols. These artworks offer a glimpse into the spiritual life and artistic traditions of the early Christian community.

See unique burial traditions where skulls were embedded in the walls, and bodies were depicted in painted frescos below. This reflects the Baroque era's perspective on mortality and resurrection.

Visit burial niches and sarcophagi of notable early Christians and aristocrats, including the resting place of San Gaudioso, a 5th-century Tunisian bishop who gave the catacombs their name.

Explore the small underground basilica with its altar and intricately carved spaces for prayer, reflecting the early Christian community’s religious practices.

Observe the impressive use of volcanic tuff stone, which makes up the structure of the catacombs, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient builders.

Discover symbols such as fish, doves, and chi-rho, which were used by early Christians to convey messages of faith in a covert manner during periods of persecution.

A richly decorated space where several early bishops of Naples were buried. It features intricate frescoes and mosaics dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, depicting biblical scenes and early Christian art.

This large underground basilica is a central highlight of the lower layer of the Catacombs, showcasing spacious halls with impressive columns carved directly from volcanic tuff stone. It served as a place of gathering and fellowship, and is still used for mass!

While the city’s main patron Saint Gennaro’s relics were moved in later centuries, his original burial site remains a focal point, revered for its spiritual and historical significance.

The walls of the catacombs are full of beautifully preserved frescoes, including depictions of saints like Pascientus, fish (a symbol of Christ), and other Christian motifs dating back to the 2nd century AD.

The grand lower vestibule, with towering 6-meter-high ceilings, features a striking baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II, who sought refuge in the Catacombs of San Gennaro during the 8th-century iconoclastic clashes.

A labyrinth of burial niches and galleries on another level showcasing the scale and depth of these ancient burial chambers.

A carved stone chair, likely used by bishops during ceremonies held in the underground basilica, symbolizing the authority of the early Church in Naples.