Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro

The Chapel of the Treasure of Saint Januarius is an ornate Baroque chapel inside Naples Cathedral. Vowed by the city in 1527 and built between 1608 and 1637, it houses the relics of San Gennaro and artworks by Domenichino, Lanfranco and other artists.

Why it matters

The chapel expresses Naples's civic devotion to its patron saint. During a period of war, plague and volcanic activity, the city vowed to build a chapel in honour of San Gennaro. The resulting space combines sacred art, civic identity and the treasury associated with the saint.

What to notice

Lanfranco's dome fresco and Domenichino's paintings depict episodes from the life of San Gennaro. The bronze railing stands before the high altar, behind which the reliquary safe holds the ampoules associated with the saint's blood. The adjoining treasury includes the silver reliquary bust, a jewelled mitre made by Matteo Treglia in 1712 and the gold necklace known as the Collana.

Context and history

The city's vow dates to 1527, while construction of the chapel took place from 1608 to 1637 to a design by Francesco Grimaldi. Artists and craftsmen including Domenichino, Lanfranco, Jusepe de Ribera, Giovan Domenico Vinaccia and Cosimo Fanzago contributed to the chapel and its furnishings. Catholic tradition associates the blood relic with a liquefaction celebrated on three feast days each year.