The Royal Chapel of the Treasure of Saint Januarius

Hello dearest friends,

I realized that I forgot to share with you an important exploration I did in the city of Naples before heading to Pompeii. I visited the interior of the Cathedral, and I took some photos of what is undoubtedly one of the most significant and rich testimonies of Naples' artistic and, above all, religious heritage. It was very interesting to be inside the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro. I think almost everyone, or at least those who have been to Naples, knows a bit about the miracle of San Gennaro and how important this saint is for the people living there.

In fact, this chapel was built in 1526 precisely because the people of Naples at that time needed the protection of this important saint from the plague that was ravaging the city. Essentially, this Holy chapel preserves the relics of San Gennaro and his famous treasure, mainly composed of precious gifts offered by the faithful over the centuries. That's why this place can be considered an essential stop, especially for religious people, but also for those curious to see these important treasures in person.

For those who don't know who San Gennaro is, he's essentially a Christian saint who lived around the 4th century and was originally from Naples. That's why he has always been revered by the people of Naples.

Among the treasures, you can find silver relics, as well as gifts made of gold and precious stones donated by popes who succeeded each other during that time. This chapel is also famous for the ceremony of the miracle that occurs three times a year when the blood of San Gennaro liquefies. This event happens on the 19th of September, which is the saint's feast day, on the 16th of December, and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May.

I must say that I was deeply impressed by this precious treasure, made with materials of great value. Especially, the famous cradle of San Gennaro caught my eye, crafted with 13,000 stones.

Moreover, the decoration of the Chapel itself, where this treasure is located, is artistically beautiful. When you enter this place, you can truly feel a very spiritual atmosphere.

One discovery I made while visiting this place is that during the 17th century, this chapel was used for musical concerts, with the presence of great masters of that time. It was always a way to honor and respect the saint.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope my account was interesting, and I hope you liked the photos as well. It's certainly a place to visit if you come to Naples, even though I understand that there are truly numerous things to see in Naples, and it would take a lot of time.

See you in my next post, and I wish you all a great day!