CATACOMB OF SAN GENNARO

Access to the left of the Basilica Madre del Buon Consiglio. The catacombs of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, are the most extensive in the city. They are spread over two levels and cover centuries of history. The catacombs were excavated in the 2nd century AD and underwent an important development in the^5th century, when the relics of San Gennaro, Bishop of Benevento, beheaded in Pozzuoli in 305, were transferred to the catacombs. His tomb has been identified and is visible during the visit. But the bones of the saint are no longer there: the relics were stolen in the Middle Ages by the Lombard prince Sicon of Benevento and hidden in the Abbey of Montevergine, near Avellino. It was not until 1497 that they returned to Naples; since then they have been kept inside the Duomo. The underground route passes through corridors and larger spaces (up to 6 metres high) dug into the tufa subsoil. On the upper level there is a hypogeum basilica with three naves and arcosoli (arch-shaped niches dug into the walls) covered with paintings. One of them preserves the oldest representation of San Gennaro (^5th century). Further on, the crypt of the bishops is decorated with mosaics representing the portraits of the first bishops of Naples (^5th century). On the lower level, another hypogeum basilica is dedicated to Sant'Agrippino (masses are still celebrated there). This is the oldest part of the catacombs: it contains the oldest Paleochristian paintings in southern Italy (2nd century).