Catacombs of San Gaudioso: Guided Tour
Highlight
- Explore millennia of history right beneath Naples' lively Sanità district
- Visit the tomb of bishop Saint Gaudiosus, along with numerous noble families and prominent Christian personalities
- Experience an eerie art collection, featuring frescoes adorned with actual skulls and bones as a tribute to the deceased
Summary
Description
Located right underneath the lively Sanità neighborhood, there is a deep well of Neapolitan history waiting to be explored! Initially serving as the final resting place of Saint Gaudiosus, a Tunisian bishop, these hallowed burial chambers were later enlarged to accommodate aristocrats and influential Christian personalities throughout generations. Today, you have the chance to unveil this wonderfully spooky crypt and journey back to the early eras of Naples.
The Gaudioso Catacombs were constructed over several phases, starting from the Greco-Roman era. Initially functioning as a burial ground, it was subsequently repurposed as an ancient Christian burial site, until it fell into disuse because of frequent mudflows.After more than a millennium, the crypt was renovated and repurposed as a communal burial ground for those who perished in the outbreaks of the plague and cholera. If you find that unsettling, brace yourself for the decorations!
The ornate frescoes painted by the renowned artist Giovanni Balducci adorn the walls and ceilings. The eerie tomb decorations feature portraits that include actual skulls and bones of the departed, with a reconstructed skeleton (assembled from various bodies) watching over the catacombs.If you enjoy adding a touch of spookiness to your history, you will find an abundance of hidden truths waiting to be uncovered on this captivating voyage across the centuries.
