Museum of the Treasure of St. Gennaro, Religious museum near Duomo, Naples, Italy
The Museum of the Treasure of St. Gennaro occupies over 700 square metres beside the Duomo and the Cappella del Tesoro, with its entrance next to the cathedral. Its rooms display the treasure never before shown to the public, including the mitre made in 1713 by goldsmith Matteo Treglia, set with 3,694 precious stones and weighing 18 kg, and the necklace begun by Michele Dato in 1679 and added to until 1929. The route also visits the three recently restored sacristies of the Cappella del Tesoro, hung with paintings by Luca Giordano, Massimo Stanzione, Giacomo Farelli and Aniello Falcone.
The collection grew over centuries through donations from believers and was later presented in modern spaces. During World War II, the entire treasure was moved to a safe location abroad for protection before being returned to Naples afterward.
The treasure is displayed near the Cappella del Tesoro, and the museum route also passes through the chapel's three sacristies, restored and hung with paintings by Luca Giordano, Massimo Stanzione, Giacomo Farelli and Aniello Falcone. The 1966 film Operazione San Gennaro, by Dino Risi with Totò and Nino Manfredi, follows a band of clumsy thieves trying to steal the treasure.
The entrance is beside the cathedral and the Cappella del Tesoro, and the route also leads through the three recently restored sacristies of the chapel. The museum area covers more than 700 square metres, so allow time to see the silver collection of about 70 pieces and the paintings by Luca Giordano, Massimo Stanzione, Giacomo Farelli and Aniello Falcone.
The mitre of St. Gennaro was made in 1713 by the goldsmith Matteo Treglia and set with 3,694 precious stones: 3,328 diamonds for the firmness of faith, 168 rubies for the saint's blood and 198 emeralds for knowledge. The gold work weighs 18 kg, and two lappets carry engravings of the saint's ampoule.
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