Via San Gregorio Armeno, in the historical center of Naples,  is for everyone the “street of cribs”. It is one of the most famous places in the world, and every year, the destination of thousands of tourists abducted by the timeless charm of the shops of master craftsmen of crib art.

The street takes its name from the religious complex dedicated to San Gregorio Armeno: an authentic jewel of Neapolitan Baroque architecture, which includes the church (inside of which stands the coffered ceiling, made in 1580 by the painter Teodoro d’Errico), the convent with its  extraordinary cloister, considered among the most beautiful of all the city, where, among the fragrant citrus trees, stands a large marble fountain with the eighteenth-century statues of Christ and the Good Samaritan.

Also known as Via San Liguoro, the ancient street is of Greek origins, like the entire cross-section surrounding it: winding alleyways intersecting at right angles, as per the plan designed by the architect Hippodamo from Mileto and then exported to the colonies of Magna Grecia. It is no coincidence that it perpendicularly connects the two main Decumans: the largest one (the current via dei Tribunali) and the lower one (the modern Spaccanapoli).

During the fifteenth century, the alley that extends to the former agora (near San Gaetano Square), took the name of Strada Nostriana from the name of the then bishop of Naples, Nostriano, who here raised the the first hospital for the sick and poor. The building was only later t identified by the name of the Bishop of Armenia, to whom, since 1205, a small church was dedicated, founded by a group of Basilian nuns.

According to legend, this building, now known as San Gregorio Armeno (or San Biagio Maggiore), was built in 930, on the site of a church erected by Sant’Elena, Emperor Constantine’s mother, on the ruins of a pagan temple devoted to the goddess Ceres. But it is much more likely that they were the nuns of San Basilio, (eighth century), founded the monastery that in 1009 was joined by a flyover, to that of San Pantaleone and San Sebastiano.

It is said that the Sisters had come to Naples led or inspired by Saint Patrizia of Constantinople, escaping from the oriental iconoclast, carrying with them the remains of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Patriarch of Armenia (257-331). They founded a first monastery after landing on the island of Megaride (Castel dell’Ovo). After the death of their founder and by the will of the Byzantine duke Stefano, the nuns took her body in procession through the streets of the city. At one point the two white heifers pulling the funeral wagon suddenly stopped: the event was considered to be the led by the will of the virgin Patrizia. Hence the decision to move the monastery to its present place.

The structure, over the centuries, has been restored several times. In particular since 1572, after the Council of Trent. And just on the overpass joining the two sides of the road, following the numerous restorations, the bell tower was built. Today this bell tower represents one of the most characteristic sights of the Old Center of Naples.

The Sisters could not know, however, that one day many centuries later, their saint who had literally “pushed” them along the Nostraan Road and to whom they were so devoted, would be worshiped in their own convent. Initially buried in the ancient monastery of Saints Nicandro and Marciano, in 1864, the remains of the noblewoman of Constantinople (sanctified in 1625) were transferred to San Gregorio Armeno and, since 1922, have been entrusted to the custody of the Crouching Adorers of the Eucharist.

Santa Patrizia (Saint Patricia), co-patron of Naples, is the protector of young maids seeking a husband, sailors, parturients and the needy. Her cult is linked to the prodigal of blood liquefaction, similar to that of Saint Gennaro. This is said to have taken place over the years in different ways and times. But according to tradition, it takes place every Tuesday and on the feast day of St. Patrizia, on August, 25.

In the crib street, the monastery of Saint Patrizia is to be found. Near the intersection with Via San Biagio dei Librai, just on its left, is another church, the one of Saint Gennaro all’Olmo. Here the philosopher Giambattista Vico was baptized. And across the street, on the opposite side, is the church that is traditionally considered the domus Ianuaria, the birthplace of San Gennaro.

And now we come to the famous crib art. For some, the presence of craftsmen in this street was due to the existence, during the centuries, of the Roman empire. Especially that of an ancient temple devoted to the goddess Cerere (as the one mentioned above relative to the convent of San Gregorio Armeno) to which the citizens used to offer, as an ex-voto, small terracotta statues that were made nearby, in the shops of the area.

The birth of the Neapolitan crib obviously came about much later and dates back to the late eighteenth century. But nothing prevents us from hypothesizing that history, myth and tradition may have fused, in the passage from the old to the new religion and that the ancient artists have simply gone from making statues to that of shepherds. The fact remains that along this long narrow street that goes from Via San Biagio of the Libraans to Via dei Tribunali, uniting both streets, dozens of workshops, that throughout the whole year, work hard to produce all the elements and characters of the crib.

L'articolo San Gregorio Armeno: History and legends of the street of cribs proviene da Charme.

The most venerated saint of Naples is San Gennaro, the city patron. His remains are kept in the Chapel of Succorpo inside the marvellous Cathedral, built in the beginning of 14th century where once stood the basilica of Santa Restituita and the paleochristian baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte. Every year since centuries the blood of the Saint liquefies attracting thousands of faithful. The remains of Santa Patrizia of Costantinopoli lay since 1864 in San Gregorio Armeno convent in the crèche street. Her bloody liquefies every Tuesday and on the 25th of August.[charme-gallery]

Madonna dell’Arco, a hamlet of Sant’Anastasia, is famous for the devotion of battenti and fujenti, who manifest their devotion running and singing. Around the half of 16th century a small painting depicting the Holy Virgin started to bleed after the stroke of a pall-mall by a guy, who was immediately killed after that. The holy image started to be venerated by the people thanks to its miracles. In 1593 it was started the building of the sanctuary to keep it more appropriately, ended in 1610. Today, sanctuary of Madonna dell’Arco houses thousands of silver ex voto and many votive tablets depicting the miracles received during the centuries.

In Mercogliano (Avellino), at the foot of Mount Partenio, at circa 1000 m of height, stands the Sanctuary of Montevergine. The hermit San Guglielmo from Vercelli (11th-12th century) choose that place as his retire and founded the abbey where today lay his remains. Inside the Sanctuary is venerated the painting of Madonna of Montevergine. Into the complex still stand archaeological remains, jewels and works of art. In the stunning cathedral of Salerno, devoted to Santa Maria degli Angeli and San Matteo, lay the remains of this Apostle. The Baroque façade with a 1600s staircase and the ample colonnade with Roman tombs and the monumental bronze door made in Constantinople in 1099 are worth a visit.[charme-gallery]

The Duomo of Amalfi dominates the principal square from the top of a high staircase. Built around the second half of 11th century, it became a cultic place only in 1208 with the arrival of Saint Andrew remains. It is still possible to see the original 10th century cathedral with its cloister of Paradise, a cemetery built among 1266 and 1268.

Back in Naples, in the basilica del Carmine Maggiore is kept the image of Madonna Bruna (“dark”, for the colour of her skin), a painting of Tuscany school made in 13th century, which receives a lot of popular devotion. In Gesù Nuovo Church lay the remains of Giuseppe Moscati, the “saint doctor”. Its tomb is a popular destination among faithful, pushed by the force of faith and the desperate need for help. Gesù Nuovo is absolutely stunning and typically Baroque. An invitation to wonder and to a rest for the soul. Just like the  other holy places in Campania region.[charme-gallery]

L'articolo Sanctuaries of faith, where favours are asked for proviene da Charme.

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It starts November 1, 2014 with the group of Turchini of Antonio Florio who will perform in San Gregorio Armeno, then continue with the Vocal Ensemble of Naples, which will be hosted by the church of Sant’Anna dei Lombardi on November 8, 2014, where November 22, 2014 will arrive also the Baroque Ensemble of Naples.
November 14 will be the turn instead of Percussion Ketoniche, whose notes resonate sacred building of San Lorenzo Maggiore.
Space to contemporary musical languages ​​with Dissonanzen to be stars of the evening of November 29, in the San Gennaro Extra Moenia.
Finally, it ends happily with two other valid artistic proposals, December 5 with the Project Sonora Network & Performing Arts, within the walls of the church of the Carmine Maggiore and December 13 in the company of Mysterium Vocis, who chose the church of Santa Maria Regina Nuova as magical scenery of the performance, among which there is also the “Lauda around the Stabat” by Roberto De Simone.
What can I say there is no better way to welcome the winter season upon us.

“Sing, play and walk”
1 november to 13 december 2014
For info and reservations required: toll Campania Artecard 800 600 601 from mobiles and abroad +39.06.39.96.76.50

L'articolo Sacred Music and holy buildings, Partenope celebrate the magical union proviene da Charme.

Music for the “Ladies” of San Gregorio
New Scarlatti Orchestra
Saturday, October 18, 2014 – 18:30
Naples, Church of San Gregorio Armeno
Free admission subject to availability
Pages vocal and instrumental GB Pergolesi, F. Mancini, Ch. W. Gluck, P. Anfossi, A. Sant’Angelo, L. Vinci.

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L'articolo Great music in Naples for the ladies of San Gregorio Armeno proviene da Charme.