San Gennaro extra Moenia, Minor basilica in Rione Sanita, Naples, Italy.
San Gennaro extra Moenia is an early Christian basilica in Naples built in two levels carved directly into the tuff stone beneath the city. The underground chambers feature spacious halls and high ceilings that showcase the careful construction of these ancient pilgrimage sites.
The basilica developed from two separate burial sites: one from the 2nd century housing Saint Agrippinus and another from the 4th century containing Saint Gennaro's remains. The merger of these two ancient shrines transformed the location into a major center of early Christian veneration.
The basilica serves as a pilgrimage destination where visitors and worshippers come to pay respects to Saint Gennaro, who remains deeply venerated by local Catholics. The site reflects how early Christians honored their saints in underground sacred spaces carved into the living rock.
The basilica sits underground and is best explored during daylight hours, though artificial lighting illuminates the subterranean passages. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since you will navigate stairs and uneven surfaces throughout your visit.
Beneath the basilica lies an extensive network of catacombs with numerous burial chambers and tunnels that visitors can still explore today. These underground passages reveal how early Christians buried their deceased and maintained their shrines over centuries.
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