Naples

Basilica of San Francesco di Paola in Naples

Hiking trails in Naples always begin at the Referendum Square (Piazza del Plebiscito), where the San Francesco di Paola Church is located. Built in 1836, at the behest of King Ferdinand I Bourbon, the building faces the Royal Palace.

A magnificent example of Italian neoclassicism attracts tourists with its elegant architecture and rich interior decoration.

The idea of ​​building a church came to Ferdinand I of Bourbon at the moment when he defeated the French and liberated the lands they had seized. Having regained the throne, the monarch decided to perpetuate his triumph with the construction of a new temple. The church was dedicated to Francis of Paola, the patron saint of Calabria, the birthplace of the French Bourbons.

In 1816, construction began on the basilica of San Francesco di Paolo. Swiss architect Pietro Bianco was chosen as the architect of the Catholic church. The project was based on the famous Roman Pantheon. Bianco supplemented it with an extended colonnade, beautifully framing the area of ​​Plebiscito.

Building

The neo-Gothic rectangle of San Francesco di Paolo is crowned by a 53-meter dome lying on 34 columns of the Corinthian order, the trunks of which are carved from Mondragone marble. In front of the portico, following the example of the square, there are statues of two kings - Charles Bourbon III (Charles III de Bourbon) and Ferdinand I, made by Antonio Canova (Antonio Canova). The facade of the portico consists of 6 columns and 2 pilasters made of white Carrara marble. On them lies a transverse beam (architrave), on which an inscription is embossed, indicating who the church is dedicated to.

The construction took place in several stages. In 1816, the foundation stone of the building was laid. The design of the facade of the portico and galleries was completed only in 1824. The decoration of the interior of the monument lasted until 1836. In the same year, invited to the opening of the temple, Pope Gregory XVI solemnly consecrated the magnificent structure. Avoiding ruin and destruction, it is safely preserved to this day.

As conceived by Ferdinand, San Francesco di Paolo was to become the main church of Naples. The wishes of the king were embodied in a magnificent dome, the works of famous artists and sculptures, in an unusual architectural design of the building. Along the perimeter of the rotunda, in the galleries, sculptural images of 4 earthly and 3 theological virtues are placed. In the right chapel of the hall is an early creation by Luke Giordano's brush "Saint Onufriy for Prayer."

Under a gigantic arch, in the center of the hall, stands a stone altar richly inlaid with lapis lazuli. It is much older than the building itself, since Anselmo Cangiano was created in 1641. In 1835, the old altar left the church of the Holy Apostles (Santi Apostoli) and received a permanent residence permit in the main shrine of the city. Gilded figures of angels are installed on its sides, and the walls of the throne are painted with frescoes.

Most of the picture is devoted to episodes from the life of St. Francis. The sacristy of the temple uses the works of Anthony Campi "Circumcision" (16th century) and Gaspar Landi "Immaculate" (18th century). Designated as a historical landmark of the city, the church of San Francesco di Paolo has not lost its religious significance in our days: it is used for various celebrations and festivals dedicated to calendar Catholic events.

How to get there

Near the square is the Piazza Amedeo metro station. A kilometer from the basilica is the Naples maritime station. The church is open during the day, admission is free.

Watch the video: NAPOLI BASILICA SAN FRANCESCO DI PAOLA FULL HD (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Naples, Next Article

100,000,000 lire: treasure or colored pieces of paper?
Society

100,000,000 lire: treasure or colored pieces of paper?

The Italian during the repair of the apartment of her long-dead uncle found 100 million lire. But the Bank of Italy refuses to exchange them for the euro Aludia Moretti (Aludia Moretti) found one hundred million lire in the house inherited from uncle Viterbo, but found that now their value is almost zero. “Banknotes of 100 thousand lire were packed in a metal box hidden among antique furniture, 42-year-old Italian, the operator of the Pesaro call center, told reporters.
Read More
Italian robbed 5 banks threatening ballpoint pen
Society

Italian robbed 5 banks threatening ballpoint pen

“Clean up” five banks in two weeks. Impossible? Can only geniuses or professional fraudsters cope with this task? But no. An entrepreneurial resident of Italy made a fortune by robbing five Roman banks, threatening staff ... with a regular ballpoint pen. Some thief from the town of Velletri managed to crank up this difficult “business” thanks to rather strange tactics.
Read More
In Italy, going to teach children in English
Society

In Italy, going to teach children in English

Italy needs to “restart” the language learning system, said the country's education minister. In her opinion, lessons at the school should be taught in English, starting with the elementary grades. Commenting on her plan for educational reform, Minister Stafania Giannini stated that optional language learning at school is no longer acceptable, and that all lessons should be in English.
Read More
Pope Paul VI will be beatified in October 2014
Society

Pope Paul VI will be beatified in October 2014

Pope Paul VI, who led the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978, will be beatified on October 19, 2014 after the Synod of Bishops. The former pontiff Pope Paul VI will be reckoned among the blessed in October this year. The Vatican recognized the miracle to which the heir to the Holy See was involved a few weeks after the canonization of two Popes at once.
Read More