The Catacombs Of St. Gaudioso

Skull embedded in a fresco. Michael Bukowski & Jeanne D'Angelo (Michael Bukowski & Jeanne D'Angelo)

The second largest catacombs in Naples house a peculiar burial practice.

The hypogeum of the Basilica Santa Maria Sanitá was used as a mortuary in the 17th century. A schiattamuorto would place corpses in special cells, create drainage holes in them and then clean the bones. The upper echelon of Neapolitan society would then have their skulls embedded into a wall with a fresco of their skeletal bodies complete with attire suiting their social status.

While this practice was popular in the 17th century the catacombs had been in use since the early Christian era. In fact some 5th century frescoes still survive. They site was abandoned in the Late Middle ages and only recently restored and opened.

Know Before You Go

From the Materdei metro stop, head east along Via Materdei then turn left onto Via S. Teresa Degli Scalzi. When you get to the Maddalena Cerasuolo Bridge take the free elevator (located halfway on the left) down to Via Sanitá. The Church will be to your right when you exit the elevator.

Monday-Sunday 10am-1pm
Catacombs accessible by guided tour only.
Cost: €9 Tours available in English and Italian. Pamphlets in Spanish.
Price includes free admission to the Catacombs of San Gennaro.
Photos permitted with no flash.