Graziella al Porto Napoli, Naples, Baroque church in Porto district, Naples, Italy.
Santa Maria delle Grazie al Porto is a baroque church in the Porto district of Naples, distinguished by its ornately carved stone facade and square footprint. The structure sits near Via Medina and displays the characteristic decorative details of baroque design.
The church was built in 1737 by architect Angelo Carasale, replacing the Teatro San Bartolomeo, which had served as Naples' primary opera venue. This transformation marked a shift in how the site was used by the city.
The interior features a painting showing the Virgin presenting a banner to San Pietro Nolasco, a work created by the painter Giuseppe Bonito. This artwork remains a significant part of the site's artistic heritage.
The building has remained closed since the 1980 earthquake and can be accessed through narrow alleys branching from Via Medina or Via Guglielmo San Felice. Note that the site is not open to the public.
Remnants of the original theater structure survive within the church walls, including sections of the theater boxes that were incorporated into the baroque design. These hidden architectural layers reveal how the former opera house was absorbed into the new religious building.
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