The Chapel of San Gennaro is accessed from the south aisle of
the Cathedral of Naples. This 13th-century Gothic building is
dedicated to the patron saint of the city. Tradition tells the
story of how two phials of San Gennaro's congealed blood liquefied
in the bishop's hand after his martyred body was transported to the
church. Legend has it that disaster will strike if the blood fails
to liquefy on specific festival days - the first Saturday in May,
on September 19 and December 16. The liquefaction ceremony, known
as the Miracle of the Blood, takes place during a special Mass in
full view of the congregation. The first chapel on the right upon
entry into the cathedral is dedicated to San Gennaro (also known as
Saint Januarius) and holds the famous phials of blood and a silver
reliquary containing his skull. Beneath the Duomo are the
excavations of well-preserved Greek and Roman roads that stretch
beneath the modern city. Special tours of the excavations can be
arranged.
Address: Via del Duomo 147 Website: www.duomodinapoli.it Telephone: +39 081 449 097 Opening Time: Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 12.30pm, and
4.30pm to 7pm; Sundays from 8am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm. The
archeological area is open on weekdays from 9am to 12pm and 4.30pm
to 7pm. On festivals and the days before festivals the site is open
from 9 Admission: Cathedral: Free; Archaeological site: EUR3
Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
