San Lorenzo Maggiore Basilica

The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

The Naples audio-guided tour leads you to the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, one of the oldest in the city. Built on the former Greek agora and then the Roman forum, it is a place of worship and memory visited with respect.

From Gothic to Baroque

The basilica was built from 1270 at the request of Charles I of Anjou, to commemorate a victory and replace an old early Christian church. While the Baroque facade dates from the 18th century, the interior is resolutely Gothic: it is even one of the most remarkable Gothic ensembles in southern Italy. Beneath the building lie remains of the Roman market, witnesses to the long history of the site.

What there is to see

The Gothic interior, plain and lofty, contrasts with the Baroque omnipresent in Naples. Beneath the basilica, the archaeological excavations reveal the remains of the Greco-Roman market, with its shops and ancient lanes: a fascinating underground route. The visit thus combines contemplation in the church and an immersion in the ancient past of Neapolis.

Practical information

The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is on Piazza San Gaetano, in the historic centre of Naples. Access to the church is generally free; the visit of the underground archaeological excavations and the museum is ticketed, with variable hours. An active place of worship, the building requires proper dress and silence.

What is hidden beneath the Basilica of San Lorenzo ?

The remains of the Greco-Roman market of Neapolis, with its shops and ancient lanes, visible on an underground route.

What is the style of the basilica ?

Its facade is Baroque, but its interior is Gothic, among the most remarkable in southern Italy.