CHIESA DEI SANTI FILIPPO E GIACOMO

The church was built from 1593 by the Art of Silk(Arte della Seta), a very important trade guild since, between the 16th and 17th centuries, silk was one of the major economic sectors of the city. Not only was it processed and marketed, but it was also produced here: there were silkworm farms in the Kingdom of Naples. The building has preserved few of its original elements, a complete restructuring having been carried out by Gennaro Papa in 1758. Contemplate the beautiful façade with its niches housing Religion, Faith and Saints Filippo and Giacomo, the latter two sculpted by Sanmartino, the author of the Christ veiled from the Sansevero Chapel. Inside, a single nave with a magnificent majolica floor, covered by a vault painted by Giacomo Cestano. On weekends, guided tours are organized by the volunteers of the Respiriamo Arte association (in English and Italian). They open the doors of some otherwise inaccessible areas: the crypt, the remains of the first church, and above all the sacristy where silk fabrics woven by the craftsmen of the guild in the 17th century are kept, as well as a carved wooden altar which represents a very ingenious perspective. Its author is said to have been inspired by Borromini, a major artist of Baroque Rome. A very instructive visit, which lifts the veil on a little-known aspect of Neapolitan history.