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The Duomo of Naples is a French gothic building that dates from the early thirteenth century. It was built as a dedication to the patron saint of the city, San Gennaro. Inside the cathedral the first chapel is dedicated to the saint and it is here that you can see the phials that hold his blood placed along side his skull perched on a silver bust. San Gennaro was the bishop of Beneventum and was martyred in 305AD and his body was brought here. The miracle of San Gennaro occurs three times a year, on May Day, on September 19th and on December 16th. The miracle is that the blood of the saint contained in two phials liquefies on special dates. It is said to have happened for the first time when the saint's remains were brought to Naples. This event signals that the city is still under the protection of the saint and no harm will befall Naples. If the blood does not liquefy then disasters will happen such as when Vesuvius erupted in 1944. Another interesting date to note was 1980 when Naples suffered an earthquake when the blood did not liquefy. Anyone can attend the service so it is worth a visit if you are in Naples on these dates. On the other side of the church is the basilica of Santa Restituta, a remnant of the first cathedral that is the oldest structure in Naples. It was built by Constantine in 324 and the columns used for the structure where the ones that were part of the temple of Apollo that had previously graced the site. The bapistry also contains parts from previous Christian sites. Below in the crypt beneath the altar, you can find the crypt of San Gennaro and Pop Innocente IV in one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance artwork in the city. Beneath the Duomo are ancient archaeological sites that show the transition from ancient Greece to the Middle Ages. |