Santa Maria della Sanità, Naples, Baroque basilica in Rione Sanità, Naples, Italy.
Santa Maria della Sanità is a baroque basilica in Naples with an elliptical floor plan and a raised presbytery that creates a sense of upward space. The building sits partly above ancient catacombs beneath it, with underground chambers that remain accessible to visitors.
The basilica was built between 1602 and 1613 intentionally above the catacombs of Saint Gaudiosus, merging old and new history together. In the 19th century, the construction of a bridge significantly altered the church's appearance and its immediate surroundings.
The name refers to Mary and the healing of believers, reflecting its role as a spiritual refuge for the community. Visitors can observe how the ornate chapels and spaces continue to draw people seeking prayer and contemplation.
Access to both the church and catacombs is through the main entrance at Piazza Sanità, though navigating the underground rooms requires careful footing. Wear comfortable shoes and expect cool, dim lighting in the lower level.
The elliptical columned hall is an architectural innovation designed by Giuseppe Nuvolo that departed from the rectangular forms typical of his era. This unusual design made it an experimental project for bold baroque spatial thinking.
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