Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta |
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The façade of Naples Cathedral.
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Basic information | |
Location | Naples, Italy |
Geographic coordinates | 40°51′09″N 14°15′35″E / 40.8525°N 14.2596°ECoordinates: 40°51′09″N 14°15′35″E / 40.8525°N 14.2596°E |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
Province | Archdiocese of Naples |
Country | Italy |
Year consecrated | 13th century |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral |
Status | Active |
Architectural description | |
Architectural type | Church |
Architectural style | Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-gothic |
Groundbreaking | 13th century |
Completed | 19th century |
Naples Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Napoli, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta or Cattedrale di San Gennaro; Neapolitan: Viscuvato 'e Napule) is a Roman Catholic cathedral, the main church of Naples, southern Italy, and the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. It is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro, in honour of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint.
The present cathedral was commissioned by King Charles I of Anjou. Construction continued during the reign of his successor, Charles II (1285-1309) and was completed in the early 14th century under Robert of Anjou. It was built on the foundations of two palaeo-Christian basilicas, whose traces can still be clearly seen. Underneath the building excavations have revealed Greek and Roman artifacts.
The Archbishop's Palace adjoins the cathedral.
The main attraction of the interior is the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, with frescoes by Domenichino and Giovanni Lanfranco, altarpieces by Domenichino, Massimo Stanzione and Jusepe Ribera, the rich high altar by Francesco Solimena, the bronze railing by Cosimo Fanzago and other artworks, including a reliquary by 14th-century French masters.