Santa Maria Donnalbina, Naples

Santa Maria Donnalbina is a baroque church in Naples featuring a single nave divided by four side chapels and adorned with stucco and fresco decorations. The interior is anchored by a dome above a marble altar, with ornamental ceiling work and pilaster-like structures creating rhythm throughout the space.

The church was founded in the 9th century but underwent complete reconstruction in the 17th century under architect Bartolomeo Picchiatti. Later modifications by Arcangelo Guglielmelli reinforced the baroque design visible today.

The name refers to a local legend, and today the church displays the ornamental style typical of Neapolitan religious spaces with its gilded surfaces and sacred imagery. The golden decoration throughout shows how much care was invested in creating a place of reverence.

The church is open to visitors following extensive restoration and offers good access to its artistic and architectural features. Plan to spend enough time to appreciate the ceiling details and individual chapels when you visit.

The church houses a neoclassical funeral monument to Giovanni Paisiello created by Angelo Viva in 1816, positioned to the left of the entrance. This monument stands in contrast to the baroque surroundings and marks the connection to the city's musical heritage.