Catacomb of San Gaudisio

From the Basilica of St. Mary of Sanità one can reach the catacombs of the African S. Gaudioso, who arrived in Naples in A.D. 439, because of the persecution of the Arian King of the Vandals, Geiseric.

The translation of the relics of St. Gaudioso to the city (IX Century) caused the abandonment of the place until XVI Century, when an image of the Madonna and Child dating back to V-VI Century, was rediscovered. The image, which is the oldest of Naples, is currently in the Basilica. 

A distinguishing element is the burial of the dead skulls recessed into the walls of the ambulatory and the opening of a newer area below the catacombs, for the realization of so-called "seditoi", or "gutters", seats carved into the tufa on which the dead were laid to dry before being placed in an common ossuary or a private grave. 

On either side of the ambulatory open cubicles with valuable paintings arcosolia containing Christian symbols like the lamb, the peacock and grapes (V Century). 

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Catacomb of San Gennaro

Naples' oldest and most sacred catacomb became a Christian pilgrimage site when San Gennaro's body was interred here in the 5th century. It's an evocative otherworld of tombs, corridors and broad vestibules, its treasures including 2nd-century Christian frescoes, 5th-century mosaics and the oldest known portrait of San Gennaro.

You'll find three types of tombs in here, each reflecting a different social class. The wealthy opted for the open-room cubiculum, originally guarded by gates and adorned with colourful wall frescoes. One cubiculum to the left of the entrance features an especially beautiful funerary fresco of a mother, father and child. In actual fact, you're looking at three layers of frescoes, one commissioned for each death. The smaller, rectangular wall niches, known as loculum, were the domain of the middle classes, while the forme (floor tombs) were reserved for the poor.

Further ahead you'll stumble upon the so-called basilica minore (minor basilica), home to the tombs of San Gennaro and 5th-century Archbishop of Naples, Giovanni I. Sometime between 413 and 431, Giovanni I accompanied the martyr's remains from Pozzuoli to Naples, burying them here before Lombard prince Sico I of Benevento snatched them in the 9th century. The basilica minore also harbours fragments of a fresco depicting Naples' first bishop, Sant'Aspreno. The city's bishops were buried in this catacomb until the 11th century.

Close to the basilica minore is a 3rd-century tomb whose Pompeiian-hued artwork employs both Christian and pagan elements. In the image of three women building a castle, the figures represent the three virtues, while the castle symbolises the Church.

The catacomb's recently opened lower level is even older, dating back to the 2nd century and speckled with typically pagan motifs like fruit and animals. The painting on the side of San Gennaro's tomb – depicting the saint with Mt Vesuvius and Mt Somma on his shoulders – is the first known image of San Gennaro as the protector of Naples. Also on the lower level is the Basilica di Agrippino, named in honour of Sant'Agrippino. The sixth bishop of Naples, Agrippino was also the first Christian to be buried in the catacomb, back in the 3rd century.

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29 November 2013 - Rareca Antica

Friday, November 29th another concert in the Galleria Principe di Napoli, opposite the National Museum: free concert of Rareca Antica, a group that will involve you with the rhythm of the tammorre of popular music and the Vesuvius. It is the third concert of the festival Friday Notes with which we want to revive this historic place, returning it to the city after years of neglect. Joining also means supporting this project of restoration and revitalization. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Department for Youth and the Department of Culture of the city of Naples with the literary cafe Liberty which is located in the Galleria.

Rareca Antica (Canzoniere Vesuvius) is a group of traditional and popular music which is based on the research of traditional popular religious songs, love, spite, working. The choice of a traditional repertoire, as well as the passion that generate these sounds, also comes from the desire and commitment to retrieve from oblivion our Vesuvian and Neapolitan culture and our musicality.

The members of the group:

DARIO MOGAVERO: voice, tammorre , tambourines

RAFFAELE DE LUCA Picione: accordions with 8 , 12 and 18 basses 

CLAUDIO CALIENDO: classical guitar, mandola , mandolin

STELLA MANFREDI: violin

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Christmas Markets 2013 in Naples

Naples prepares for the upcoming Christmas holidays. Lights, colors, smells of tradition: hard to give up a walk through the alleys of the old town, between the historic shops of the artisans that create the shepherds and nativity scenes. A magic that fascinates not only the Neapolitans, but also the thousands of tourists from all over the world who every year crowd the narrow and picturesque San Gregorio Armeno.

Christmas markets and fairs this year will be different and located in various parts of the city and the province.

More than 60 trade fairs, 2 thousand workers engaged, 27 districts involved in the city.

A calendar of events in continuous evolution:

Cribs and tradition in the historic market of San Biagio dei Librai and San Gregorio Armeno (stalls from December 5 2013 to January 8 2014. The artisans' workshops are open all year).

Antiques and art galleries in the historic Galleries Umberto I and Principe di Napoli.

Fairs between the Decumani.

A special event "La villa dei Balocchi", scheduled on December 8, at Villa Diamante in Posillipo, with an area entirely dedicated to children.

At Cercola returns the usual appointment with the magic of the Christmas Market from 6 to 8 December 2013. About 40 exhibitors and appointments with Gospel choirs and demonstrations of cake design. The event takes place at Villa Buonanno .

Suggestive also the markets of Sorrento, which will be set up from 8 December until January 1, 2013

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