La Neapolis Sotterrata - San Lorenzo Maggiore

Welcome to the Monumental Complex of San Lorenzo Maggiore, a place that embodies the architectural and historical stratigraphy of Naples like no other. As we stand in this courtyard, we are at a geographical and historical…

We begin in the central cloister, a space that has been the heart of the convent's life for centuries. The current structure was designed in the 18th century by the architect Ferdinando Sanfelice, who built it over a previous…

We now enter the majestic Hall of Sixtus V, or 'Sala Sisto Quinto.' Originally used as the refectory for the friars, this room was transformed in the early 17th century into a grand representative space. The ceiling is a…

Passing through an ancient 14th-century portal flanked by elegant mullioned windows in tufa, we enter the Chapter House, or 'Sala Capitolare.' This room dates back to the Swabian period of the 13th century and retains its…

Now, we begin our true descent into antiquity. As we go down the stairs, we leave behind the medieval and Baroque worlds and arrive at the 1st-century Roman level. …

Continuing through the excavations, we enter the 'Cryptoporticus,' a covered gallery or walkway that supported the upper levels of the market complex. This area is particularly impressive because it demonstrates the advanced…

After our journey through the depths, we ascend to the 'Museo dell'Opera,' located within the complex. This museum serves as a repository for the vast collection of artifacts, liturgical furnishings, and documents that tell the…

As we conclude our exploration of La Neapolis Sotterrata and the Complex of San Lorenzo Maggiore, we are left with a profound sense of the 'verticality' of Neapolitan history. We have traveled from the serene Baroque cloister…