The Cathedral of Naples (also known as the Duomo) is the main church in Naples, Italy. The church was began as a Gothic church in 1315 but over the years, many changes have taken place. The church was commissioned by King Charles I of Anjou and was completed during the reign of Robert of Anjou. The church was built on the remains of two palaeo-Christian cathedrals, one of which, the Basilica of St. Restituta, is still accessible. The church is dedicated to San Gennaro, the city's patron, and holds a vial of the Saint's blood in the Chapel of San Gennaro. The blood is brought out twice a year (the first Saturday in May and the 19th of September) and usually liquefies. If the blood does not liquefy, according to legend, something bad will happen in Naples. Also in the Chapel of San Gennaro are several pieces of artwork including frescoes by Domenichino and Giovanni Lanfranco, altarpieces by Domenichino, Massimo Stanzione, and Jusepe Ribera, and bronze railing by Cosimo Fanzago.
Amy Altman
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