Cappella Sansevero

Naples, Italy

The Cappella Sansevero contains works of art by some of the leading Italian artists of the 18th century.

Its origin dates to 1590 when John Francesco di Sangro, Duke of Torremaggiore, after recovering from a serious illness, had a private chapel built in what were then the gardens of the nearby Sansevero family residence, the Palazzo Sansevero. The building was converted into a family burial chapel by Alessandro di Sangro in 1613 (as inscribed on the marble plinth over the entrance to the chapel). Definitive form was given to the chapel by Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, who also included Masonic symbols in its reconstruction. Until 1888 a passageway connected the Sansevero palace with the chapel.

The chapel houses almost thirty works of art, among which are three idiosyncratic sculptures. These statues are emblematic of the love of decoration in late-Baroque, and are made of a marble-like substance that, in whole or in part, was invented by Raimondo. Raimondo also participated in the design of the works of art in the chapel. The Veiled Truth (Pudizia, also called Modesty or Chastity) was completed by Antonio Corradini in 1750 as a tomb monument dedicated to Cecilia Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona, mother of Raimondo. A Christ Veiled under a Shroud (also called Veiled Christ), shows the influence of the veiled Modesty, and was completed in 1753 by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The Release from Deception (Disinganno) by Francesco Queirolo of Genoa serves as a monument to Raimondo's father.

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Details

Founded: 1590
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alexandra Petcov (2 years ago)
The place is absolutely stunning, every detail and reinterpretation of some biblical stories are unique, and the Veiled Christ is a real masterpiece. Please take the audio guide, it will open a whole new experience. If you just go there and look, you might be missing a lot of details, and yes, the place is indeed small, but worth every cent. ❤️
DAnica Mracevic Jurisic (2 years ago)
This is a true gem , baroque chapel, with a stunning sculpture of Sanmarino - veiled Chris. If you can see only one thing in Naples, this should be it! Buy make sure you buy tickets on line and do not skip mausoleum, you will be astonished by it! No photo allowed.
Andrzej Kucik (2 years ago)
As beautiful as the Veiled Christ sculpture is, there is not much else to see. Sure the whole interior is magnificent, but you get such interiors in many places for free around Naples or Italy. And the tickets here are so overpriced as compared to other ones in the city. Also, bear in mind that taking pictures there is forbidden.
trevor “slateman” esposito (2 years ago)
I've been fortunate enough to visit some majestic cathedrals and churches in my life and have gazed upon many of the masterpieces within them. However, the Veiled Christ is likely my favorite piece ever. After a visit with my children, I raved for years and one day convinced my wife to go. I could sense her hesitation as it's "just another religious carving". On the surface, that's certainly the case. After she visited, her tune changed and she agrees it's simply magnificent. The delicate features, gentle folds of the sheet, agony somehow conveyed through thick marble - all just utterly spectacular. The other carvings around are really quite impressive as well and the ceiling is just amazing. But everything pales in comparison to the Veiled Christ. It costs a few euros to get in and you can't take photographs, but don't miss out on this. It really is that wonderful.
World Wanderer (3 years ago)
Velo Cristo is a must see when visiting Naples!
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