Catacombs of San Gennaro
Catacombe di San Gennaro
The largest early Christian catacombs in southern Italy. Two levels of tombs preserve frescoes from the 2nd to 10th centuries and the burial place of the city's patron saint.
The Catacombs of San Gennaro lie at the foot of Capodimonte hill, in the Sanità district, and date back to the 2nd century AD. Because the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro, was buried here in the 5th century, the site became a place of pilgrimage. Its two levels of galleries were carved into tuff. The spacious burial chambers retain early Christian frescoes and mosaics, including the earliest known image of San Gennaro. The catacombs are run as guided tours by a local community cooperative, and the proceeds go toward improving the Sanità neighborhood. Admission is about €11 and includes the nearby Catacombs of San Gaudioso. Tours last about 1 hour and run every hour. It is about a 10-minute walk downhill from the Capodimonte Museum, so both can be visited on the same day.
Opening hours
10:00 am–5:00 pm; guided tours on the hour (Sundays until 2:00 pm)
Nearby sights
- Museo di Capodimonte
- Naples National Archaeological Museum
- Napoli Sotterranea
- Sansevero Chapel
- Naples Cathedral
- Via San Gregorio Armeno
- Santa Chiara Monastery
- Castel Sant'Elmo