Catacombs of San Gennaro, Paleo-Christian burial site in Rione Sanità, Naples, Italy
The Catacombs of San Gennaro are an early Christian burial site beneath Naples with two underground levels carved from tuff stone, containing tombs, frescoes, and religious artwork. The complex features spacious corridors with various grave types and demonstrates the burial practices of the early community.
The lower level originated in the third century as a pre-Christian burial ground and gained importance after Bishop Agrippinus was buried there. His entombment transformed the site into a significant destination for the early Christian community.
The catacombs take their name from Saint Gennaro, a venerated martyr whose burial here drew pilgrims for centuries seeking spiritual connection. The chambers reveal how early Christians honored their dead and expressed their faith through images and inscriptions on the walls.
Visits are only possible with guided tours that lead through both levels and explain the artwork and graves. The underground temperature stays comfortable year-round and the pathways are easy to walk through.
Excavations uncovered approximately 200 oil lamps from antiquity through the medieval period, including 54 North African red slip lamps from the third century. These finds reveal trade connections between Naples and North Africa during the early Christian era.
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