Catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro, Campania, Naples, Italy (January 2023)

“Entering a world where the nobility and clergy of the 17th Century were once buried. The burial of the corpses involved ‘draining’ in which the bodies were placed in niches and drained of their fluids (a well known expletive derives from this ritual: “Puozze scula”, or “may your life drain away”, i.e. may you die). Once the process was complete, the bones were washed and finally laid to Santa Maria della Gaudioso, near Capodimonte. The Catacombs of San Gaudioso were discovered in 1601 during the construction of the Basilica. San Gaudioso died between 451 and 453 AD and was buried outside the city walls of Naples, where his place of burial soon began to arouse devotion and gradually became the Catacombs.

You will also see the Madonna della Sanita, from the 5th-6th century; the oldest depiction of the Virgin Mary in Campania.

Dating to the 2nd century AD, the Catacombs of San Gennaro was the preferred burial place of Roman noblemen and the first burial place of Naples 6th Bishop and first patron Saint, San Agrippino (his remains were later moved). In the 5th century, the remains of Naples’ patron Saint, San Gennaro, were moved here and though his remains were moved to Benevento in the 10th century, his tomb, as well as the oldest known portrait of him dating to the 5th century, are still visible today. San Gennaro’s remains were moved again in the 12th and 15th centuries, finally being interred in a special crypt beneath Naples Cathedral that was commissioned by Cardinal Carafa.”

(Ref: Tour Guide: Gianni Tramparulo: https://www.facebook.com/tourguide.giannitramparuloTour Guide s Facebook Page)

Thank you Gianni Tramparulo for another great Tour!

A quick pit stop for restrooms and coffee before heading to the Catacombs. This is the entrance to the Naples Archeological Museum..which might be an upcoming site I’ll visit.

The tour guide mentioned that the bones that covered the Catacombs were moved out some time ago. They also mentioned that only the wealthy were kept down here, to be placed close to a Saint. No doubt the church made some serious financial profits from their wealthy followers.