San Severo fuori le mura, Roman Catholic church in Sanità district, Naples, Italy.
San Severo fuori le mura is a Catholic church in the Sanità district with an elevated entrance accessed by a staircase. A small tunnel in the third chapel connects the church interior to ancient catacombs that lie beneath the building.
The church was founded in 1573 by Cardinal Mario Carafa as a structure built above the existing catacombs. In the mid-17th century, architect Dionisio Lazzari oversaw major renovations that reshaped the building.
The name honors Saint Severo, an early Christian martyr whose tomb in the catacombs below drew pilgrims seeking his intercession. Over time, the church became tied to devotion centered around this holy figure and the sacred space beneath it.
Visiting requires no entrance fee and the church is open regularly for guests throughout the week. Plan enough time to explore both the church interior and the underground spaces comfortably.
The Cappella dei Bianchi features a contemporary sculpture called Figlio Velato by artist Jago, which creates a striking contrast within the historical setting. This modern artwork stands deliberately apart from the centuries-old decorations surrounding it.
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