Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Il Duomo)

Naples Cathedral, the Duomo

The Naples audio-guided tour brings you to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Duomo, the most important church in a city that has more than five hundred. A place of worship dear to the hearts of Neapolitans, it is discovered with respect and contemplation.

The cathedral of San Gennaro

Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, the cathedral is closely linked to Saint Januarius, San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples. Built from the 13th century and reworked several times, it houses the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where the saint's relics are kept. It is here that the much-followed ceremony of the liquefaction of San Gennaro's blood takes place several times a year, a moment of great popular fervour.

What there is to see

The cathedral combines styles, from Gothic to Baroque, through its richly decorated chapels. The Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, dazzling with marble and frescoes, is one of the peaks of Neapolitan art. There you also discover the early Christian baptistery, one of the oldest in the West. The visit is made with respect for the sacred place and the devotion expressed there.

Practical information

The Naples Duomo is on Via Duomo, in the historic centre. Access to the cathedral is generally free outside services; the visit of the baptistery and certain areas may be ticketed, with hours that vary by season and celebrations. An active place of worship, it requires proper dress and silence.

To whom is Naples Cathedral dedicated ?

It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin and closely linked to Saint Januarius, San Gennaro, patron saint of the city.

What is the liquefaction of San Gennaro's blood ?

It is a much-followed ceremony, several times a year, where the faithful observe the saint's blood kept in the cathedral.