Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro

Beside Naples Cathedral, the Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro presents centuries of gifts to the city's patron saint. Its collection includes a gem-encrusted mitre, a baroque necklace and silver busts, displayed near the chapel built to house the saint's blood.

Why it matters

The collection records the devotion of Naples across five centuries. In 1527 the city vowed to build a chapel for San Gennaro; the gifts that followed reflect both the patronage of rulers and the devotion of Neapolitan communities. The museum connects these objects with the cult that remains central to the city's religious life.

What to notice

The mitre made by goldsmith Matteo Treglia in the early 18th century carries 3,326 diamonds, 198 emeralds and 168 rubies on a silver-gilt frame. The necklace began in 1679 with thirteen gold links made by Michele Dato and was later enriched with pendants by rulers including Carlo di Borbone, Maria Carolina and Vittorio Emanuele II. The collection includes 54 silver busts of Naples's patron saints; the reliquary bust of San Gennaro dates to 1304. The ampoules of the saint's blood are kept with his relics in the chapel.

Context and history

The 1527 vow led to the construction of the Cappella del Tesoro, designed by Francesco Grimaldi and decorated during the 17th century by artists including Domenichino, Lanfranco, Jusepe de Ribera and Cosimo Fanzago. A lay Deputazione became custodian of the offerings. The museum presents objects in the chapel's sacristies and adjoining rooms. During the Second World War the treasure was moved away for safekeeping and later returned intact.