San Domenico Maggiore

From piazza del Gesú to the end of via Benedetto Croce, there is San Domenico Maggiore Church.  Built in 1283, and commissioned by King Charles of Anjou for the Dominicans order, the church is an example of  Gothic style.  The basilica has been subjected to many changes during the centuries compromising the original spaces.  Here worked many of Italy's finest sculptors from Tino da Camaino to Cosimo Fanzago, and painters, from Pietro Cavallini to Titian, Michelangelo da Caravaggio and Luca Giordano.  For this church, the famous Flagellation (1607-09) by Caravaggio was commissioned and also Annunciation (1557) by Titian which is in the first chapel on the left side of the transept.  Both paintings are on display at the Capodimonte Museum.  In the church hangs copies of these paintings.

The church is located in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, where you can also admire the Guglia of San Domenico Maggiore, dated 1656.

This square is famous for its mysterious stories of gosts living in this area, vanished princesses, murders and tragic love stories. The obelisk itself is full of esoteric symbols, like the mermaid with two tails. Here was also burnt alive the famous monk Giordano Bruno, for his heretical ideas against the Church during the Inquisition. Neapolitans believe his soul still visits the church and if you listen carefully you can still hear him screaming.

Piazza S. Domenico Maggiore, 8A - 80134 Napoli

Tel.: +39 081 459 188

Free entry

Opening hours:   Mon - Sun 10.00 - 19.00

Nearest metro station:  Linea 1 - UNIVERSITA