Naples and the Apostles, a cult made of stone (second part)

It follows from the first part……    The Basilica di San Paolo Maggiore was built in the 8^th century where the Roman forum stood, on the remains of Dioscuri temple, the still visible columns and trabeation.

The church, restructured in the 16^th century, shows frescoes by Massimo Stanzione, depicting the exploits of Peter and Paul. In the Sacristy there are paintings by Solimena, and the church hosts one of the most important baroque chapels: cappella Firrao.

Near via Anticaglia, there is the church of the Santi Apostoli. Originally built over a pagan temple, his foundation is attributed to the bishop Sotero, in the year 468. Ruined many times beacause of the earthquakes, and then restored, today it shows a baroque splendour and many paintings by Lanfranco, Francesco Solimena and Giovan Battista Benaschi.

Into the Immacolata chapel, made by Ferdinando Sanfelice, there is the unique Filomarino Altar, only Neapolitan work by Francesco Borromini. In the crypt with frescoes by Belisario Corenzio, there is the tomb of the poet Giambattista Marino.

Today not consecrated anymore, the church of Santi Filippo e Giacomo al vico dei Parrettari, the baroque church of the Santi Marco e Andrea a Nilo, in via Paladino, closed after the 1980 earthquake. The list is very long, comprising also the church of Santa Maria del Ben Morire, near Corso Umberto, or the little church of Sant’Andrea Apostolo detta dei “Gattoli”, in via San Giovanni in Corte, born like the private chapel nata of Gattoli family in the 16^th century.(followed by third party)