La Neapolis Sotterrata - Complesso Monumentale San Lorenzo Maggiore
La Neapolis Sotterrata - Complesso Monumentale San Lorenzo Maggiore
La Neapolis Sotterrata - Complesso Monumentale San Lorenzo Maggiore
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Historical Description When was Neapolis founded? It is not clear the specific date but archaeological studies show the late sixth - early fifth century BC. Initially were only inhabitants coming from the city of Cuma, then others settlers were also added: Calcidesi, Pithecusan, (today's citizens from Ischia) and the Athenians. The urban layout of Neapolis is structured in a regular network of streets. History and archeology, architecture, sculpture and painting of San Lorenzo Maggiore Complex had already written important chapters in the history of Naples. It can be assumed that St. Lawrence complex - geographically and topographically- is the heart of Old Naples The deepest backgrounds of the complex of San Lorenzo can be found in the basement of the Greek - Roman Neapolis, at the "Via Augustale", where, in the Roman period were stationed the general markets. At the end of the fifth century AD, a huge flood, a mixture of mud, stones and water buried the whole area. Later it was built an Early Christian Basilica dedicated to St. Lawrence Martyr. John Bishop of Aversa donated the early Christian basilica of S. Lorenzo to the Friars Minor, in 1234. The primary Basilica was later replaced by the current monument, which construction began in 1284 under King Charles I of Anjou. The Friars Minor have devised the new complex of S. Lorenzo, supported and protected by the Anjou King, who provided a constant devotion to the brothers of St. Francis of Assisi, favoring them with generous donations and lands. A particular event explains the deep pledge between the Angevin sovereigns to the Friars Minor: a son of Charles II of Anjou, Ludovico, attracted by Franciscan Friaries way, joined the Order of Friars Minor. Ludovico was elected bishop of Toulouse Immediately after his religious profession. He had lived poor and died very young, in 1297; he was canonized in 1317 by Pope John XXII. The Archeological Area The model that we cross just entered the cloister, makes us understand how was settled the Roman market. Neapolis had three main streets: the upper decumanus currently via Anticaglie; the Major decumanus currently Via Tribunali and the lower decumanus, currently Via San Biaggio dei Librai or better known as Spaccanapoli. The underground archaeological area of San Lorenzo Maggiore extends below the transept of the Angevin church, the chapter house and the southern arm and the west of the monastery. The monument in tuff blocks of IV-III century. B.C. was replaced by a building market to the imperial age. It is arranged on two floors exploiting the existing natural gap between the portion of the street stalls and the Courts of stenopos in alignment with Vico Giganti, visible in the archaeological underground area. The complex as a whole seems to be the result of a unified building program, but it is currently not possible to determine what date from the initial phase of this impressive monumental structure is. The most recognizable part of the romans buildings is date based by the technical construction in the late first - early second century. A.D., after the earthquakes of 62 and 64 A.D. and the eruption of 79 A.D. Only a few clues remain of the late Republican and Augustan period, despite the Emperor Augustus and his descendants has been attributed many edifice projects in the city. The construction previous mentioned was composed of two floors. The first floor was occupied by "macellum", a market intended for sale of foodstuffs, consisting of a rectangular space porch with circular pavilion of the tholos at the center. It invokes a common type of Hellenistic period, attested to the imperial age in Campania at Pompeii and Pozzuoli in the Serapeum. The tholos was part of an enclosure with a mosaic of large white tiles, which opened a porch covered with marble slabs. The tholos was a small temple. It was the place where merchants were offering the first fruits to God hoping to get back multiply profits. The basement of the circular building is preserved, three steps with a few tracks with marble facing and part of a terracotta funnel. It is now partially visible an oval slot realized on the occasion of the re-paving of the cloister. The main entrance was on Via Tribunali, while the stairs connect the lower level of the monument, to the portion of stenapos in the underground archaeological area.The eastern front of the complex includes a small building in the North organized into two narrow shafts interconnected with brick facade punctuated by a pediment with two pilasters, in which a door opens and a tiny window of a thick railing. Toward to the south nine tabernae bipartite in two adjoining spaces, with a vaulted ceiling: the facade is made of brickwork, instead the perimeter walls and partitions of rooms were in reticulate. In such environments can be observed, reflecting the commercial use of the area, elements such as an oven and tanks, which, often documenting phases of use of a later period the original structure. a. The first tavern is "Erarium" today would be called the bank. Probably romans preserved the treasure of the city! The place is particularly interesting for the signs from the big iron bars. b. Tabernae fulloniche today would be called dyeing. You can admire tubs and sinks where were brought cloths, washed and dyed with natural detergents soda, clay, purple and uric acid. c. Bakery. Someone jokingly calls "the grandmother’s pizzerias” It is interesting to note the shape of the dome of the oven and the cooker top. To the south of the modular system, tabernae bind to a cryptoporticus, a long basement corridor reticulate and brick arches with barrel vaults, divided into smaller adjoining rooms. The building rests, using as the back wall, on the screen in yellow tuff blocks of the fourth century BC phase. In the cryptoporticus can be admired the stone counters, of uncertain interpretation, however, given the presence of small flow channels of water perhaps were used to expose and sell fish. Entering in a new environment where you notice a water collector, perhaps of Greek origin: it is important to note the arrangement of stones, placed in barrels, round shape with a particular shape and without the mortar between the stones. All block interlocked. The age we talk about 150-200 BC The following environments were more elegant edifices, that were built with better materials as can be seen from the mosaic floors and “impluvium”, a gush of water inputs of Roman." These rooms were a particularly popular venue for meetings of philosophers and political scientists called "scole". In the last area after the corridor, on the right wall, you can see a few remains of frescoes and mosaic floor in particular. Chapter Hall In the middle of the east side of the cloister is the entrance to the Chapter Hall, decorated with a Gothic portal of the second quarter of the fourteenth century, flanked by beautiful windows with four lights and surmounted by a low arch bezel. Above these beautiful quadrifore it was found parts of a fresco (and recently restored), probably painted by a strict observance unknown artist disciple of Giotto around 1340, depicting St. Francis, who gives the rule to friaries and the Poor Clares of Assisi. The fresco was detached years ago and kept inside of the Museum; it is curious to observe how this fourteenth-century fresco was the model of the table of Colantonio with the same subject, part of the altarpiece for the Sanchez family, one time was kept in San Lorenzo but now is on the Museum of Capodimonte. The Chapter Hall is 7.50 meters high, wide 16.30 meters and deep 12.8 meters. It preserves the Gothic structure, with six vaults supported by two ancient granite bare columns; in what reminds the Chapter House of St. Augustine at the Mint in Naples, built slightly earlier. There are frescoes with grotesque decorations, allegorical figures of Sand and Villa, with a small central fresco depicting the Virgin Mary and under the 1608 date; in the surrounding walls there are paintings in the shape of trees with fruits representatives of people (men and women) of great cultural value, theological, scientists, kings and queens, followers of St. Francis of Assisi. Its author was almost certainly Luigi Rodriguez. The Sisto V Hall The Sixtus V Hall consists of a great rectangular hall, 43.60 meters long and wide 9.80 meters. The main entrance is an elegant antique vestibule Swabian which, according to Celano, was once frescoed. This majestic hall was for a long time the place of the Neapolitan Parliament meeting. The frescoes on the walls and on the vaults date back to the early 17 century were executed by Luigi Rodriguez, during the reign of Philip III, commissioned by the Viceroy Ferdinando Ruiz Castro and Andrada. The vault is divided into seven compartments, each of which are painted life-size seven Virtues; more precisely, at the center of each compartment it is depicted one of the seven main virtues (Clemenza, Providence, Gravity, Magnificence, Dignity Director, magnanimity, affability), surrounded by four smaller Virtue for each main one. In the semicircles of lateral arch can be seen views of Naples that correspond to the different provinces of the Kingdom: today you can admire them only six. Finally, the decoration of the room is completed with coats of arms, arabesques and allegories. Only the lower part of the perimeter walls, for a height of 4 meters from the floor, it was not covered with frescoes: it was the custom to cover these portions of walls with tapestries and precious fabrics to increase the local magnificence.
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- A_Cats_WorldLugano, Switzerland229 contributionsInteresting tour with friendly guideInteresting tour and friendly guide . It’s about 30/40 mn and the history is impressive. You buy a ticket and. If you go with a guide it’s 2 euros extra per adult and 1 for children . We didn’t see the other underground tour so we can’t compare.Visited December 2022Travelled with familyWritten 24 December 2022
- RicherTripsMonterrey, Mexico4,020 contributionsClaustrophobic friendlyThey offer a Soterranea experience, but in small scale, compared with the other one with the cisterns. They insist that this tour is non calustrophobic and that it absolutley true, all wide spaces. The other one is impossible for claustrophobics. In the underground part, you’ll see a market and a private house. Then, with the same ticket, you can visit the basillica and the beautiful Chapter hall in the cloister.Visited January 2023Written 3 February 2023
- Richard HLeeds, United Kingdom325 contributionsReligious Complex and Underground Ruins - Artecard entryThis large complex is at the top of 'Christmas Alley'. It includes a large ornate church and underground ruins including an old Roman Street. This was a quiet site and I was often on my own walking round. The Artecard gives you a reduction (I think it was 20% ish).Visited October 2022Written 19 March 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,811 reviews
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DV I
6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We had the most amazing time travelling experience, with the opportunity to see how Naples was to a level of detail that exceeds most places, as old as this one! Being able to see the ingenious building that dealt with money, already bearing in mind the one person occupation per interaction, really tells us a lot about the old ages!
In my opinion the lighting could be much better, I was personally aiming to photograph it myself, but with the conditions without using my own lighting, unfortunately, the results were very poor.
Julia was our guide, whom we found to be great, charismatic and super available to indulge our curiosities, with an extra bit of information that really was a treat. One to keep as the great work she did. Thank you very much.
In my opinion the lighting could be much better, I was personally aiming to photograph it myself, but with the conditions without using my own lighting, unfortunately, the results were very poor.
Julia was our guide, whom we found to be great, charismatic and super available to indulge our curiosities, with an extra bit of information that really was a treat. One to keep as the great work she did. Thank you very much.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingOttersons
Denver, CO1,377 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was a total surprise! We were walking along Via San Gregorio Armeno and happened upon this church and thought – why not go in? Boy, were we surprised. While not on out pinned locations as there’s just so many options in Napoli, this definitely should have been. There is an entrance fee to get into the underground site but it’s worth it. We also opted to stand for a little bit to wait for an English tour by one of the staff. Also, well worth the extra €2 each to get the guided tour. There is so much history you would totally miss had you just walked on your own as there is little to no signage once you go below so you are just seeing things without the context. What is the underground here exactly? How about the church above, built on the ruins of the previous church that was built on several feet of ash from the Vesuvius eruption, that was over the Roman marketplace that you can walk through, that was also built over a former Greek structure. And they’ve only excavated a small portion of it, of course being underneath a church. a fascinating and unexpected visit. We thought we were going in just to see another beautiful church.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AntonellinaUS
Venice, Italy74 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Very interesting tour lead by the marvelous guide Orazio. Very informative, he gave us a lot of info on the place, the history of the city and what we were looking at, including side notes on various topics. Highly recommend both for what you see that is magnificent, and the high level of information we got from Orazio!
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Damiano N
2 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Nice tour about the Church and its structure that was build on a greco-roman fish market and its surroundings that was found underground.
It was about 50min and gives a nice introduction into the vast ancient underground city. Perfect for people that might be nervous about small corridors or feel claustrophobic as the market has a lot of space underground.
Our guide Francesco was exceptional really knowledgeable and with great sympathy.
It was about 50min and gives a nice introduction into the vast ancient underground city. Perfect for people that might be nervous about small corridors or feel claustrophobic as the market has a lot of space underground.
Our guide Francesco was exceptional really knowledgeable and with great sympathy.
Written 6 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard H
Leeds, UK325 contributions
Oct 2022
This large complex is at the top of 'Christmas Alley'.
It includes a large ornate church and underground ruins including an old Roman Street.
This was a quiet site and I was often on my own walking round.
The Artecard gives you a reduction (I think it was 20% ish).
It includes a large ornate church and underground ruins including an old Roman Street.
This was a quiet site and I was often on my own walking round.
The Artecard gives you a reduction (I think it was 20% ish).
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RicherTrips
Monterrey, Mexico4,020 contributions
Jan 2023
They offer a Soterranea experience, but in small scale, compared with the other one with the cisterns. They insist that this tour is non calustrophobic and that it absolutley true, all wide spaces. The other one is impossible for claustrophobics.
In the underground part, you’ll see a market and a private house. Then, with the same ticket, you can visit the basillica and the beautiful Chapter hall in the cloister.
In the underground part, you’ll see a market and a private house. Then, with the same ticket, you can visit the basillica and the beautiful Chapter hall in the cloister.
Written 3 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheRelfster
Manchester, UK1,544 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We went on this tour mainly because there was torrential rain that day and it was included in our Artecard. The guide was great and it was quite interesting.
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A_Cats_World
Lugano, Switzerland229 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Interesting tour and friendly guide . It’s about 30/40 mn and the history is impressive. You buy a ticket and. If you go with a guide it’s 2 euros extra per adult and 1 for children . We didn’t see the other underground tour so we can’t compare.
Written 24 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Granddad
12 contributions
Nov 2022
We visited this attraction to fill in a couple of hours one afternoon, not really sure of what we would see. We booked an English-speaking tour which only added 2 Euros each to the price. The remains of Greek and Roman buildings buried by volcanic activity two thousand years ago and now deep underground are amazing and the tour was well worth the cost.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John A
London, England154 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Under the church complex, you find yourself walking up a shop-lined street not so different from the ones above. Not claustrophobic, at all. Interesting and informative. Video guide good. You don't need a guided tour but it'll help a lot. The museum is poor - lots of stuff with no interpretation - and can be missed easily!
Written 22 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manu3004
Faenza, Italy44 contributions
buonasera, secondo voi il primo di gennaio sarà possibile visitare la Napoli Sotterranea di piazza San Gaetano e se si quale sarà l'orario dell'ultimo ingresso?grazie
Salve, il. primo. gennaio. saremo aperti tutta la giornata dalle 10.30 alle 18.00.
Cordiali saluti
duccio1975
Florence, Italy32 contributions
Siamo in visita Napoli e abbiamo bisogno di una delucidazione, se così si può dire. Ci siamo accorti che esistono 2 Napoli sotterranee: una si chiama "Neapolis Sotterrata" e l'altra "Napoli Sotterrenea".
Entrambe ahanno siti web dai quali non si capisce assolutamente niente. Anche qui su Tripadvisor c'è un sacco di confusione e qualcuno ha recensito una cosa visitandone un'altra.
Quale differenza c'è fra entrambe???
Grazie a chi vorrà aiutarci.
Roberto D
Naples, Italy2 contributions
Salve, il nostro sito è un Complesso Monumentale composto da moseo, chistro, sale affrescate e area archelogica denominata La Neapolis Sotterrata. La differenza con le altre strutture è che da noi sono visibili i resti del foro romano e dell'agorà greca . Scendendo di circa 15 metri si possono visitare i resti del macellum , ossia dell'antico mercato romano risalento al III sec. a C. Il nostro è un sito archeologico ( se va sul sito mibac e cerca san lorenzo maggiore napoli). Le altre strutture chiamate Napoli Sotterranea, sono delle cave dove si estraevail tufo, riutilizzate nel tempo dai romani per farne l'acquedotto e successivamente usate come rifugio bellico. Spero di eserle stato di aiuto. Cordilai saluti
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