For the casual tourist, while not necessarily the largest cathedral, the Duomo di Santa Maria…read moreAssunta, aka Duomo di Napoli, aka Cattedrale di San Gennaro--still presents a visual feast for the eyes. For the spiritual visitor, this cathedral is the city's central catholic parish, seat of the Naples archdiocese, dedicated to the city's principal patron saint. San Gennaro (Saint Januarius)*, was a bishop martyred in 305 AD under Roman emperor Diocletian, later buried here. While little is known about his life, his body was transferred a few times, lastly in 1497 to Naples. This was at the behest of Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, where his remains were kept in the Succorpo, a richly decorated crypt constructed for this specific purpose. The most notable religious relics housed here include: 1) ampoules of the saint's blood that supposedly liquify three times a year in a miracle to show the favor of the saint upon the city, and popes that visit. For this reason it's become a pilgrimage site for those hoping to witness the miracle of liquefaction. It's debated what type of liquid is contained within the hermetically sealed vials, though scientific evidence is scant considering the contents cannot be removed in fear of damage to its contents. 2) the treasure of San Gennaro (for which a separate ticket must be purchased €13) consists of the many works bestowed upon or donated to the cathedral over seven centuries from royalty and lay persons, as signs of devotion. Paintings, busts, ex-votos, objects made with precious metals and jewels are included in this collection. While there are a few sections of the cathedral that are currently not open regularly to the public, including a) the Santa Restituta, where the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte is located (part of the church built earlier in the 14th century--you could peak in from the side though couldn't enter), b) the Chapel of the San Gennaro Treasury, c) the Minuto Chapel, --the parts the were open were very impressive. In the cathedral, highlights include the colorful soaring dome, golden coffered ceilings, and the decorative statue "Assumption" at the main altarpiece by Pietro Bacci (1739). Mid-afternoon lighting thru the windows cast a bright warm glow making the statue look like it was shining. The Succorpo was also one of the most ornate crypts I've ever seen. Open daily 9:30am-17:00pm, general admission is free and there are tours available with advance booking required (€10 adult, €8 student, €6 6-15yr olds, €0 for 5 and under and those with disabilities.) Tickets for rooftop access are €6. Good-sized gift shop. For more info - their website is very informative about the duomo's history and visiting details: https://duomonapoli.it/en/ *This is the same saint for which an annual festival Feast of San Gennaro is held.

Spiritually Full and Completely in Awe…read more Duomo di Napoli took my breath away the moment I stepped inside. I can't even fully put it into words... the calmness that washed over me was unreal. My heart felt full... my spirit felt fed... and I could've stayed there for hours just soaking it in. The architecture is beyond anything a photo can capture: the detail, the artistry, the reverence in every corner. You feel the history... the faith... the devotion... all around you. If you're visiting Naples, do not miss this cathedral. It's not just a tourist stop... It's an experience for your soul. Absolutely beautiful.

A simple, unadorned exterior belies a beautiful interior within. Basilica di Sant'Antonino is the…read morechurch where the patron saint of Sorrento is honored; his remains are in the crypt below the church. He is also commemorated in statue form in two nearby locations. Across the road from the entrance, in the middle of a small piazza is a monument, with Saint Antonino shown in a monk's garb and staff. Several blocks away in Piazza Tasso, a different statue depicts him triumphing over a sea creature. Saint Antonino was an abbot in the Catholic Church in the 6th century, and is known as the patron saint of animals, farmers and the poor. Legend has it, he saved a child from being eaten a sea monster (hence his depiction in the statue mentioned above), and even after death protected the city from Moorish invaders. Story goes that his wish was to not be buried within or outside of Sorrento, so he was buried in between--what was part of the city walls. The crypt below the church is vibrantly colorful with varied hues of marble. Paintings depict his guidance over Sorrento's sailors. A significant number of talismans in the shapes of different body parts are displayed, tokens of gratitude by parishioners for healing. The church nave is also filled with scenes in painting and wood inset panels of miracles performed by Saint Antonino. They reminded me of the ancient frescos displaying conquests of Greek/Roman mythological heroes. There's no fee to enter the church, though donations are accepted. It's not large so worth spending 20-30 minutes here. For more info: https://turismo.diocesisorrentocmare.it/sanctuaries/basilica-di-santantonino-abate/?lang=en https://www.santannainstitute.com/la-basilica-di-san-antonino/

This simple petite stone church sits in the Piazza dei Mulini along Viale Pasitea in the center of…read morePositano. A cross stands directly along its front facade. Founded in 1614 as a Dominican monastery, it was shuttered in 1652 by Pope Clement X due to an insufficient number of friars and the building's lack of maintenance. The church was subsequently converted into a courthouse, then reverted back to religious use. The church was closed following the collapse of the sacristy during an earthquake in 1980, then finally reopened in 2006 and continues to be use today, celebrating the Madonna of the Rosary. On a weekday they were closed midday though hours posted showed that they would return later in the afternoon. The main entry archway is made of tuff (yellow volcanic rock) with a single stained glass window depicting the Annunciation above it. Through the clear glass window you could see the white, barrel vaulted ceiling and front altar. I confess my time here was brief, I really only used the shade of the front entry to hide from the sun while I ate my sorbetto from across the street. Seemed like a quiet spot and I'm glad it was locked and set aside as a tranquil place for intimate reflection and not a tourist destination. For more info: https://chiesapositano.it/en/church-of-s-maria-assunta/the-parish/

A church of a few different names! Originally commissioned in 1514 by Giovanna Castriota…read moreScanderbech, Lady in Waiting to then Queen Giovanna III, dedicated to San Gioacchino (Saint Joachim) as well as a ospedaletto (hospital) for nobility that had fallen on hard times. The church also became known as known as San Guissepe (Saint Joseph) Maggiore, commemorating a different church nearby that had existed from around 500 CE of the Arcivonfraternita dei Mannesi (i falgenami) (Trade Guild of Carpenters). Then this passed on to the Frati Minori Osservanti (Franciscan Friars Minor of the Observance), who kicked off construction of the present building in 1595, who added a monastery and dedicated the church to Saint Diego of Alcalá. Sources cite damage from earthquakes in 1688 and 1784 as being responsible for the loss of many important artworks inside, however the extent hasn't been verified since the building hasn't been open to the public for many years. Today the monastery is part of a police station and both that and the main nave as mentioned cannot be entered by passersby. Walking by a few times, the architecture struck me as not your normal residential building so I did a little internet sleuthing to piece together this history. The facade unfortunately looks a little grungy like it needs some cleaning and restoration, which seems to be the case with a fair number of historic buildings in Naples, though I get it, in a city with so much history you gotta find the modern budget to restore so many sites so inevitably you have to pick and choose. For more info: https://cosedinapoli.com/itinerari/chiesa-di-san-diego-dellospedaletto/ www.naplesldm.com/diegospedal.php

This is the Monumental complex of Santa Chiara. Located just at the back of the Basilica Santa…read moreChiara itself. Entrance is €6. Located in the heart of Naples, serene place. This place is a religious complex dating from the 1300's. It's magnificent majolica-tiled cloister & museum. Less crowded during our visit and I definitely liked it. A good alternative to another well known museum

Smaller church, one of a several in the historical center district in Sorrento. This one often…read moreserves as an exhibition space for art and performances. As recently as a few months ago there was an exhibition of a local artisan, one of the last masters of inlaid wood panel artwork in the region. On a weekday evening the church was open around 6:30pm, though looked to be closing soon. It looked like they had started putting away the pieces for the day, so although I didn't personally get to see all the pieces, the few I did see were beautiful and it felt like an apt historic setting to show the deft craftsmanship of this type of unfortunately dying art form. The central nave is on the smaller side, painted yellow and decorated with white and gold Baroque style figurines and trims. Notable blue, yellow and green leaf patterns on the floor stand out. No entry fee though donations are accepted. At that time of day there were no other visitors so the ambiance inside was calm and quiet.

Situated close to water level in a central part of Positano, in Piazza Flavio Gioia, this church is…read morean easily recognizable landmark with it's colorful gold and teal majorlica-tiled dome visible from the east, and it's clean, rectangular facade. Founded as a Benedictine abbey dedicated to Saint Vitus around the 10th century, even then, it was built over a former Roman villa previously established in the 8th century, (now excavated and able to be visited via guided tours). Known for its Black Madonna and Child, a Byzantine iconographic painting above the main altar, this arrived in the 12th century supposedly under curious circumstances. Story goes that enroute from Constantinople, smuggled on a pirate ship, the ship experienced a lull in wind and current close to Positano, where the sailors heard a voice calling "Posa, posa!" ("Put me down, put me down!") so the icon was brought to shore and placed in a church. The next morning the icon was found outside on the ground, wrapped in a bush, and locals were mystified, taking this as a sign to build a church on that site and dedicate it to the Virgin Mary as their new patron saint. The free-standing bell tower was built later in 1707. On a sunny day the cool interior provided a welcome shelter for a short while from the sun. The interior reads a blend of Baroque and Neoclassical, with last major renovation affecting the building layout in the late 18th century. White walls with gold trim, along with arched windows set into the ceiling and bringing in sunlight, give the interior an elegant, warm feel. It's also popular for weddings in this region, so on a weekend you might run into a wedding being held here. For more info: https://www.travelamalficoast.it/en/the-church-of-santa-maria-assunta-in-positano-amalfi-coast https://chiesapositano.it/en/church-of-s-maria-assunta/

You must have seen its dome in the foreground of Positano landscapes. The church's colorful…read moremajolica tiled dome is one of the town's iconic symbols, its pattern of yellow, green and blue tiles shining against the blue sky and the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for its fashion design and nearly vertical setting with colorful villas stacked one on top of another up the cliff side, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is an important part of Positano's cultural, religious and architectural landscape. The church is one of the town's most prominent and photographed sights, as it is located right in the center of Positano just a few steps from the Marina Grande beach. Walking along the beach or through the narrow staircases lined with boutiques, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is always at the center of attention. Most of the staircases leading up from the Marina Grande Beach pass behind or through the small piazza in front of the church. From there you can enjoy the view of the façade of the church and the 18th-century bell tower.

Naples has no shortage of historic basilicas and church buildings and this is one of the most…read moreimpressive in the city. Highly recommend to drop by for a look as admission is free (donations accepted), and they are open later until 7pm so it's convenient to swing by before heading to dinner. On a cloudy day in April apparently many like-minded visitors had the same idea as it was fairly busy, though not extremely crowded. Located on the western edge of the Centro Historico district, the "New" in its name distinguishes it from another existing church of the name Gesu Vecchio. Initially the palace residence built in 1470 for Roberto Sanseverino, Prince of Salerno, political divisions led to his son and heir Ferrante Sanseverino being exiled and property confiscated, and this property sold to the Jesuit order. In 1584 construction began, led by appointed architect Giuseppe Valeriano, to convert this aristocratic palazzo to Jesuit church. The palace's unique facade was the only remnant left, with its bugnato (rusticated) grey volcanic-stone punta di diamante (diamond point) protrusions. What's even more intriguing is that this facade, designed by original palazzo architect Novello da San Lucano, who was also a composer, incorporated musical notes in Aramaic letters incised into the stone, which has been interpreted by musical historians as sheet music. The music has been named "Enigma" and you can find it played on YouTube. Other scholars interpret these symbols to be related to alchemy and esoteric practices popular in the day. This building passed between different hands thru the centuries though in 1900 definitively returned to the Jesuits. Nowadays it's known for the vast number of artworks that line its ceilings and chapels. They were certainly awe-inspiring to see! I spent about 30-45 minutes walking around, this is a functioning parish so administrative offices, prayer sections, a shop for purchasing ex-votos and souvenirs, and other functional facilities are also present. Hours: 8am-12:45pm, 4-7pm daily.

What a big surprise! There's a hidden gem behind that palace facade. You enter through the Baroque…read morelooking entryway at the Piazza of the same name. We were totally amazed at what we saw inside this church. I would have never known based on its exterior. It's immensely grand and ornate as you walk inside. The ceiling and chapels are covered in Italian Baroque art from famous artists such as Francesco Solimena and Luca Giordano. There are alters made of precious stones and marble statues. All of which are saintly and historical. I didn't realize it at the time, but people do go there to be healed. There is a chapel dedicated to a Naples doctor & saint named Giuseppe Moscati. His tomb lies under the chapel altar. He is known for taking care of the sick and the poor. There was a line of people waiting to enter a part of the church that houses his personal quarters and belongings. We didn't get to see it, so I can't comment on it. It's just something to consider seeing while you're there. This whole area is full of historical churches. I mean, you could visit churches all day long if that's your thing. This is a great option if you only have time to visit one, and it's free to the public. They accept donations as most churches do.