Museo Cappella Sansevero (Sansevero Chapel Museum), Naples (must see)
The Sansevero Chapel Museum is also known as the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà, named for a painting of the Virgin Mary.
The painting has a unique backstory. In the late 16th century, an innocent man was sent to prison. He was released thanks to the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary. The innocent man commissioned a painting, The Pietà. Soon, pilgrims flocked to view the painting. One of the pilgrims was John Francesco di Sangro, who was cured of an illness after viewing the painting.
He was so inspired by this miracle that, in 1590, he built a private chapel, which would later be used as a family burial chapel. Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, was responsible for renovating the chapel and commissioning the famous artwork that visitors see today.
The chapel is home to nearly thirty important artworks. Artist Antonio Corradini created The Veiled Truth in 1752 as a monument to Cecilia Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona, Raimondo's mother.
Giuseppe Sanmartino created The Veiled Christ in 1753. This stunning masterpiece was chiseled from marble and shows Christ's suffering body lying under a transparent shroud.
Francesco Queirolo's 1754 The Release from Deception was created as a monument to Raimondo's father. This statue shows a man wrestling a net that entangles him.
Surrounding The Veiled Christ are statues representing different virtues such as modesty, liberality, marital sweetness, education, and self-control.
Francesco Maria Russo painted The Glory of Paradise on the ceiling in 1749. The floor was originally in a black and white labyrinth design.
The chapel also has two unusual displays of preserved skeletons with silk and wax blood vessels and arteries.
Why You Should Visit:
The Sansevero Chapel Museum holds artwork by the most prominent 18th-century Italian artists. The chapel is unassuming on the outside but has a hauntingly beautiful and captivating interior.
Tips:
Make sure you use the audio guide to get the most out of your visit.
The painting has a unique backstory. In the late 16th century, an innocent man was sent to prison. He was released thanks to the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary. The innocent man commissioned a painting, The Pietà. Soon, pilgrims flocked to view the painting. One of the pilgrims was John Francesco di Sangro, who was cured of an illness after viewing the painting.
He was so inspired by this miracle that, in 1590, he built a private chapel, which would later be used as a family burial chapel. Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, was responsible for renovating the chapel and commissioning the famous artwork that visitors see today.
The chapel is home to nearly thirty important artworks. Artist Antonio Corradini created The Veiled Truth in 1752 as a monument to Cecilia Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona, Raimondo's mother.
Giuseppe Sanmartino created The Veiled Christ in 1753. This stunning masterpiece was chiseled from marble and shows Christ's suffering body lying under a transparent shroud.
Francesco Queirolo's 1754 The Release from Deception was created as a monument to Raimondo's father. This statue shows a man wrestling a net that entangles him.
Surrounding The Veiled Christ are statues representing different virtues such as modesty, liberality, marital sweetness, education, and self-control.
Francesco Maria Russo painted The Glory of Paradise on the ceiling in 1749. The floor was originally in a black and white labyrinth design.
The chapel also has two unusual displays of preserved skeletons with silk and wax blood vessels and arteries.
Why You Should Visit:
The Sansevero Chapel Museum holds artwork by the most prominent 18th-century Italian artists. The chapel is unassuming on the outside but has a hauntingly beautiful and captivating interior.
Tips:
Make sure you use the audio guide to get the most out of your visit.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Naples. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Museo Cappella Sansevero (Sansevero Chapel Museum) on Map
Sight Name: Museo Cappella Sansevero (Sansevero Chapel Museum)
Sight Location: Naples, Italy (See walking tours in Naples)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Naples, Italy (See walking tours in Naples)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Naples, Italy
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