Naples Cathedral

At a glance

Naples Cathedral facts that matter

Names, makers, dates, and context before the story opens up.

Italian name	Duomo di Napoli
What it is	Church
Where	Naples, Campania
Known for	Its Angevin Gothic fabric, Santa Restituta, the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte and the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro.
Period	Angevin Gothic with later Baroque interventions, 1272

The story

What you're looking at

Naples Cathedral, formally Santa Maria Assunta, was begun for Charles I of Anjou in 1272, completed under Robert of Anjou in 1313 and dedicated in 1314. Its Latin-cross, three-naved Gothic framework has been modified across later centuries. The larger complex includes the related but distinct Santa Restituta, the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte and the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, built from 1608 to 1637 in fulfilment of a civic vow made during the 1527 plague.

A layered cathedral complex whose fabric brings together Angevin construction, earlier Christian spaces and the civic devotional history of San Gennaro.

Verified details

Each statement below is linked to the record or institution that supports it.

Naples Cathedral, formally Santa Maria Assunta, was begun for Charles I of Anjou in 1272, completed under Robert of Anjou in 1313 and dedicated in 1314 by Archbishop Umberto d'Ormont.¹

The cathedral has a Latin-cross plan and three naves, with a Gothic framework altered by later decoration. Its complex also includes Santa Restituta and the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, associated with Bishop Severus in the late fourth or early fifth century.¹

The Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro was built from 1608 to 1637 in fulfilment of a civic vow made during the 1527 plague. The Treasure’s ampoules are presented on the Saturday before the first Sunday in May, 19 September and 16 December.²

Naples Cathedral lies within the UNESCO World Heritage property Historic Centre of Naples, inscribed in 1995 under criteria (ii) and (iv). It is not separately inscribed.³

Sources and citations (3)

Duomo di NapoliNaples CathedralCathedral historyRead source
Museo del Tesoro di San GennaroTreasure of San Gennaro FAQFAQRead source
UNESCO World Heritage CentreHistoric Centre of NaplesProperty record and criteriaRead source