Santa Maria del Parto a Mergellina, Naples, Renaissance church in Mergellina district, Naples, Italy.
Santa Maria del Parto a Mergellina is a Renaissance church in the Mergellina district that rises above a private structure and stands out for its refined design. The interior is defined by a single nave flanked by three chapels on each side and decorated throughout with valuable marble elements.
A poet received land as a gift from King Frederick I of Aragon in 1497 and built two churches, one above the other, on the site. The structure of upper and lower churches emerged from this original donation.
The church carries the name of poet Jacopo Sannazaro, who found his final resting place here and whose legacy shapes the sanctuary. The marble tomb inside features statues that were later renamed for religious reasons, reflecting the artistic shifts that occurred over the centuries.
To visit the church, you must use a stairway behind a restaurant on Piazza Mergellina, which makes access somewhat hidden. Opening hours are limited, so you should plan your visit accordingly and check the times in advance.
On specific days of the month, the lower church traditionally hosted prayers intended specifically for women seeking to become mothers. This practice shows how the place served for a long time as a site of hope for worshippers with particular needs.
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