Santa Maria della Stella alle Paparelle, Renaissance church in Naples, Italy.
Santa Maria della Stella alle Paparelle is a Renaissance church in Naples featuring a facade with fluted Corinthian pilasters and decorative piperno stone elements. A central tympanum crowns the entrance, displaying the intricate stonework typical of the period.
Construction of the church began in the 16th century under architect Giovanni Francesco Mormando and was completed in 1519. This period marked a major religious expansion across the city.
The name 'Paparelle' comes from a 16th-century nickname Neapolitans used for students attending a nearby college founded by Lucia Paparo. This local reference remains woven into how residents recognize and describe the area today.
Access to the main entrance requires descending stairs because street levels were altered during Naples' urban renewal period. Keep this height change in mind as you approach the church.
The sacristy holds a damaged statue of Saint John the Baptist sculpted by Mormando himself. This work sits within a small apse at the rear and reveals the architect's hand in sculpture.
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