San Lorenzo Maggiore

Useful Information

Location:	City center of Naples, Piazza San Gaetano 316. Nearest metro stop is Piazza Cavour. No parking, use public transport.
Open:	All year Mon-Sat 9:30-17:30, Sunday 9:30-13:30. [2009]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5. [2009]
Classification:	Underground City
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	San Lorenzo Maggiore, Piazza San Gaetano 316, Napoli, Tel: +39-081-211-0860.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Beneath the church San Lorenzo Maggiore lies a much older building, which today forms the backbone of underground Naples. Cut into the yellow tufo stone walls, ancient walkways dating from the sixth century B.C., can be found. And the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore is one of the major entranceways to the underground archaeological sites. The red brick archways are perfectly preserved and allow a glimpse into the Greco-Roman origins of the city.

The self guided tour starts above ground, in a three-story museum containing slabs of marble with clearly visible and very detailed Latin inscriptions. There are cross sections of columns and many wine amphoras. The items on display were mostly excavated right below the museum and the church. From the hot museum an elevator brings the visitors down to the underground site.

The underground rooms resemble the excavations at Pompeji and Herculaneum. There are the remains of mosaic tile floors and the public laundry, which is a large stone wash basin. There is little information in English, but the museum offers an English-language sheet with some details about the museum and a map of the underground.

The church is part of a 14th-century monastery, which is also worth a visit. The church is younger, it was rebuilt during the 18th century, and contains several chapels, frescoes and original wooden doors. Admission to the church is free.