Napoli Trip Overview
The Mater Dei district houses one of the city’s jewels of the city, the Fontanelle Cemetery, which was carved out of a natural tufa cave just outside the walls of the Greco-Roman city.
The cave was used as a cemetery when in 1656 a severe plague raged in the city making numerous victims, and the bodies continued to be stored during other epidemics during the following centuries.
During the last century the bones preserved here have been the subject of a widespread rite among the Neapolitan people, that of the “pezzentelle souls” (poor souls). People adopted a skull of which they did not know the story and took care of it, hoping that this could help him with graces and intercessions and that, in a dream, reveal his story to him.
The guide will tell you in detail this tradition and why the Neapolitan people is so fond of this place, as well as the legends that hide behind some of the skulls preserved here.
The Sanità district offers much more with its baroque churches and buildings.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Napoli, Italy
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Ghost & Vampire Tours
Explore Napoli Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Napoli, Campania, Italy
The Mater Dei district houses one of the city’s jewels of the city, the Fontanelle Cemetery, which was carved out of a natural tufa cave just outside the walls of the Greco-Roman city.
The cave was used as a cemetery when in 1656 a severe plague raged in the city making numerous victims, and the bodies continued to be stored during other epidemics during the following centuries.
During the last century the bones preserved here have been the subject of a widespread rite among the Neapolitan people, that of the “pezzentelle souls” (poor souls). People adopted a skull of which they did not know the story and took care of it, hoping that this could help him with graces and intercessions and that, in a dream, reveal his story to him.
The guide will tell you in detail this tradition and why the Neapolitan people is so fond of this place, as well as the legends that hide behind some of the skulls preserved here.
The Sanità district offers much more with its baroque churches and buildings.
Stop At: Cimitero delle Fontanelle, Via Fontanelle 80, 80136, Naples Italy
The Fontanelle Cemetery is located in the heart of the Rione Sanità, between Via Foria and the Capodimonte hill, and is one of the most evocative places in Naples. In this place, which contains over 40,000 bones, one can understand the relationship that the Neapolitans have with religion, death, the dead and luck.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rione Sanita, Quartiere Stella, Naples Italy
The Rione Sanità, located at the foot of the Capodimonte hill, is undoubtedly one of the most colorful and lively popular neighborhoods of the historic center of Naples. The district is a concentration of wonders and works of art such as churches of the 18th century, Greek hypogeums and Roman constructions, noble palaces.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Santa Maria della Sanita, Piazza della Sanita’ 14 Piazza Fra Via Sanità e Via Teresa degli Scalzi, 80136, Naples Italy
The Basilica of Santa Maria alla Sanità is one of the many examples of Baroque art that found its greatest splendor in the Campania capital in the 17th century. The building has a Greek cross plan and a raised presbytery that incorporates the previous early Christian basilica, which leads to the catacombs of San Gaudioso, a Neapolitan cemetery area dating back to the 4th or 5th century BC. C., today lost in part.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Palazzo dello Spagnolo, Via Vergini, 19, Naples Italy
Created by one of the most famous architects of Naples, Ferdinando Sanfelice, it has been chosen on several occasions as a setting for films given its particular characteristic in the facade, with a staircase that makes it unique. The palace is so called because among its owners there was Tommaso Atienza called “the Spanish”.
