Santa Caterina a Formiello

Santa Caterina a Formiello is a Renaissance church located near Porta Capuana that displays a Latin cross layout with a barrel-vaulted nave. The interior is organized symmetrically, with five chapels lining each side of the central aisle.

Construction began in 1510 under architect Antonio Fiorentino della Cava and finished in 1593. This building was among the first churches in Naples to feature a dome.

The name 'Formiello' refers to the water spouts that once decorated the attached convent, which started as a Celestine monastery before Dominican friars took it over. This shift in religious communities shaped how the space functioned over centuries.

The church sits at Piazza Enrico de Nicola within walking distance of Naples' old town center. Visiting in the morning or early afternoon works best, as it remains an active place of worship and access can be limited during services.

The main altar was commissioned by the Spinelli family and holds tombs designed by Milanese sculptors that contain the remains of 240 Martyrs of Otranto. This remarkable gathering of relics makes the church a pilgrimage destination for many believers.

Location: Naples

Inception: 1505

Architects: Antonio Fiorentino della Cava

Architectural style: Renaissance architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

GPS coordinates: 40.85448,14.26481

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00