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Naples: Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore

 

About the Church of San Domenico Maggiore:

The Church of San Domenico Maggiore was founded by the friars of the Dominican Order and is built over the remains of a smaller church dating from the 10th century.  The current church was completed in 1324 on the orders of Charles I of Anjou and was the royal church of the Angevins .   It had been modified over the years; however, in the 19th century it was restored to its original Gothic design.

A monastery next to the church has a tremenous history, as it was originally the site of the University of Naples and is where Saint Thomas Aquinas taught for a time.  You can see the room that St Thomas occupied while he studied and lived here;  a relic of the saint; as well as the image of the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to him and commended him for writing so well of Him (there is a copy in the church, but this is the original one).

The church is full of magnificent works of art:  there are 14th century frescoes by Pietro Cavallini in the Cappella Brancaccio and the ceiling of the sacristy contains a fresco by Francesco Solimena.

It is also where of 45 Aragon princes and other nobles are entombed.

To best appreciate the church we suggest you take the tour, if possible.  It also includes a chance to view some rare historical garments that were actually taken off the bodies entombed here.

 

Finding the Church of San Domenico Maggiore:

The church is located in the center part of the old city, on a piazza of the same name.

Address:  Piazza S. Domenico Maggiore, 8A, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy

Tel: +39 081 459188

Click here for the official website of the Church of San Domenico Maggiore (in Italian, use Google translate)

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