Santa Maria Regina Coeli

Santa Maria Regina Coeli is a Renaissance church in Naples reached by two grand staircases leading to a columned entrance hall. The interior holds 16th-century frescoes, an ornate ceiling design, and an attached monastery with rooms and courtyards.

This church was built following the 1561 earthquake, which prompted local priests to create a new religious complex. The building underwent changes through the 1600s, with stucco work and other details added by subsequent communities.

The church is named after the Queen of Heaven, a devotion to Mary expressed through the artworks and decorations that fill the space. Visitors encounter paintings and ceiling designs across the interior that show how the community sustained this religious reverence across different periods.

The church sits in central Naples and is accessible on foot, though the surrounding area can be tight and busy. Allow time to explore both the interior and the connected monastery, as each area has much to see.

An octagonal bell tower stands next to the church along Via Pisanelli and catches attention with its distinctive shape. This tower is one of the lesser-noticed architectural features that many visitors overlook while focusing on the main building.