Naples and Campania Sights

Museo Cappella Sansevero

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Museo Cappella Sansevero Review

Off Vicolo Domenico Maggiore at the beginning of Via Francesco de Sanctis, this chapel/museum has an intriguing sculpture collection. The chapel itself was founded in 1590 by Prince Giovan Francesco di Sangro, fulfilling a vow to the Virgin after recovery from an illness (his statue is on the second niche to the left.) Over the generations the simple sanctuary became a family mausoleum, with statues of the various princes lining the walls.

Most of the building work here is due to restructuring in the mid-18th century under the seventh Sangro di Sansevero prince, Raimondo—a larger-than-life figure, popularly believed to have signed a pact with the devil allowing him to plumb nature's secrets. Prince Raimondo commissioned the young sculptor Giuseppe Sammartino to create numerous works, including the chapel's centerpiece: the remarkable Veiled Christ, which has a seemingly transparent marble veil some say was produced using a chemical formula provided by the prince. If you have the stomach for it, take a look in the crypt, where some of the anatomical experiments conducted by the prince are gruesomely displayed.

    Contact Information

  • Address: Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, Spaccanapoli, Naples, 80134 | Map It
  • Phone: 081/5518470
  • Cost: €7
  • Hours: Mon. and Wed.--Sat. 10--5:40, Sun. 10--1:10
  • Website:
  • Metro Dante.
  • Location: Naples

Fodorite Reviews

Average Rating:  
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    Its a little jewel in the heart of Napoli

    A must see, one of the most interesting atraction in Napoli

    by Frasi, 11/22/07
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    The beauty will make you cry....for real

    The entire chapel is incredible by itself, but the famous sculpture of the Veiled Christ will make you cry it is so beuatiful. Literally, tears formed in my eyes. This site to visit in Naples is so underrated its criminal, but doent miss it or you will miss something that will stay with you forever. When you see art in its true and perfect state, it changes you. See the Capella Sansevero. It will change you.

    by clementine31129, 9/15/07

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