Basilica Santa Restituta
Basilica Santa Restituta
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
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Seeking True Quality
Europe3,150 contributions
Nov 2019
Although we had very little time for the visit, we simply had to see this IV. century paleo Christian Basilica! Nowadays, the entrance is from the northern (left) aisle of the Duomo, marked by the sign Battisterio. To our great surprise, we did not have to pay an entrance fee!
The Basilica is dedicated to Santa Restituta, an early Christian martyr from Africa. Originally, the church was larger than today, but it was incorporated in the Duomo in the XIII. century as a side chapel. After the earthquake of 1456, the outermost naves were transformed into side chapels and the whole building was strengthened. In the XVII. century restoration works were carried out in the Baroque style.
We were amazed by the sheer size of this Basilica. It is dominated by the Baroque apse and altar. But for the two of us, the most interesting detail was one of the side chapels, the chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Principio. We saw there a beautiful mosaic made in 1322 by Lello da Orvieto. It represents the Madonna with the Child on a throne, flanked by San Gennaro and Santa Restituta!
The Basilica is dedicated to Santa Restituta, an early Christian martyr from Africa. Originally, the church was larger than today, but it was incorporated in the Duomo in the XIII. century as a side chapel. After the earthquake of 1456, the outermost naves were transformed into side chapels and the whole building was strengthened. In the XVII. century restoration works were carried out in the Baroque style.
We were amazed by the sheer size of this Basilica. It is dominated by the Baroque apse and altar. But for the two of us, the most interesting detail was one of the side chapels, the chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Principio. We saw there a beautiful mosaic made in 1322 by Lello da Orvieto. It represents the Madonna with the Child on a throne, flanked by San Gennaro and Santa Restituta!
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitch R
Marble Falls, TX26 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
Beautiful church containing the relics of St. Genarro. Go and venerate his relics and pray at the various chapels.
If you’re looking to visit the ancient baptismal from the 4th century be mindful of the fact they take an extended break in the middle of they day
If you’re looking to visit the ancient baptismal from the 4th century be mindful of the fact they take an extended break in the middle of they day
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KrisD_pl
Warsaw, Poland7,784 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
When in Duomo turn left and find an entrance to Basilica Santa Restituta. It is the 6th century church - rebuilt and incorporated into the cathedral when in 13th century.
It's a separate part of the cathedral and also an entrance to the ancient, Western Europe's oldest baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte), that has been recently open to the public after long renovation works. You can enjoy the 4th century gliterring mosaics. Just stare above your head.
Entrance fee to the baptistery is 2 euros so many people skip - for me it's a mistake.
It's a separate part of the cathedral and also an entrance to the ancient, Western Europe's oldest baptistery (Battistero di San Giovanni in Fonte), that has been recently open to the public after long renovation works. You can enjoy the 4th century gliterring mosaics. Just stare above your head.
Entrance fee to the baptistery is 2 euros so many people skip - for me it's a mistake.
Written July 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andreabis
10 contributions
May 2018
Extending from the left side of the nave is the Basilica di Santa Restituta, also known as the Capella di Santa Restituta. This is the oldest church in Naples and the original site of the cathedral, which was built over an ancient Greek sanctuary. It was rebuilt in the 14th century and again in 1688 after an earthquake, but some ancient features remain. The 27 columns may be from the ancient Greek temple and fragments of the Early Christian mosaic floor have also been revealed. Visitors can tour some of the most ancient features, including a Greco-Roman mosaic floor, in the excavations beneath the chapel.
On the right side of the apse in Santa Restituta is the ancient baptistery, known as the Chapel of San Giovanni in Fonte. Dating from the 5th century, it has a square plan and a square dome. Byzantine mosaics (also 5th century) are preserved in the dome, centering on a golden Chi-Rho with Alpha and Omega on a blue background with stars. Narrative mosaics lower down, some of which are quite fragmentary, depict: the Holy Women at the Empty Tomb; Christ Saving Peter from the Sea; the Miracle of the Multiplied Fish, the Traditio Legis, and St. Paul.
Off the right aisle of the nave is the Chapel of St. Januarius (Capella di San Gennaro), built by Francesco Grimaldi in 1608-37 in fulfillment of a vow made by the citzens of Naples. The chapel also functions as the cathedral treasury (Tesoro) and is elaborately decorated with Baroque art. There are no less than seven altars, four of which have paintings by Domenichino. A tabernacle behind the main altar enshrines a silver reliquary bust (1305) containing the head of St. Januarius. A large gilt-bronze grille separates the chapel from the nave.
Other notable side chapels include the fifth and seventh on the left, with 13th-century bas reliefs, and the sixth on the left, with a Byzantine-style mosaic of the Virgin Enthroned by Lello da Roma (1322).
The patron saint of the cathedral, St. Januarius (San Gennaro) was an Italian bishop martyred in Pozzuoli under Diocletian around 305 AD. His body was transported to Naples Cathedral around 400 AD. Very little is known about the saint's life or the specifics of his death; most accounts date from several centuries later.
As mentioned above, the Capella di San Gennaro is home to a reliquary bust containing the saint's head. In addition, the crypt altar contains two vials of San Gennaro's blood, which famously liquefies several times each year. According to tradition, the blood of San Gennaro first miraculously liquefied in the hands of Bishop St. Severus (d.409) after the saint's relics were transferred to Naples. The earliest written record of the miracle dates from 1389.
The miracle of the blood of San Gennaro is scheduled to occur three times each year: the first Saturday in May (at Santa Chiara Church); September 19; and December 16. The most important of these is September 19, the saint's feast day, when the cathedral is packed with pilgrims and curious onlookers hoping to witness the miracle
On the right side of the apse in Santa Restituta is the ancient baptistery, known as the Chapel of San Giovanni in Fonte. Dating from the 5th century, it has a square plan and a square dome. Byzantine mosaics (also 5th century) are preserved in the dome, centering on a golden Chi-Rho with Alpha and Omega on a blue background with stars. Narrative mosaics lower down, some of which are quite fragmentary, depict: the Holy Women at the Empty Tomb; Christ Saving Peter from the Sea; the Miracle of the Multiplied Fish, the Traditio Legis, and St. Paul.
Off the right aisle of the nave is the Chapel of St. Januarius (Capella di San Gennaro), built by Francesco Grimaldi in 1608-37 in fulfillment of a vow made by the citzens of Naples. The chapel also functions as the cathedral treasury (Tesoro) and is elaborately decorated with Baroque art. There are no less than seven altars, four of which have paintings by Domenichino. A tabernacle behind the main altar enshrines a silver reliquary bust (1305) containing the head of St. Januarius. A large gilt-bronze grille separates the chapel from the nave.
Other notable side chapels include the fifth and seventh on the left, with 13th-century bas reliefs, and the sixth on the left, with a Byzantine-style mosaic of the Virgin Enthroned by Lello da Roma (1322).
The patron saint of the cathedral, St. Januarius (San Gennaro) was an Italian bishop martyred in Pozzuoli under Diocletian around 305 AD. His body was transported to Naples Cathedral around 400 AD. Very little is known about the saint's life or the specifics of his death; most accounts date from several centuries later.
As mentioned above, the Capella di San Gennaro is home to a reliquary bust containing the saint's head. In addition, the crypt altar contains two vials of San Gennaro's blood, which famously liquefies several times each year. According to tradition, the blood of San Gennaro first miraculously liquefied in the hands of Bishop St. Severus (d.409) after the saint's relics were transferred to Naples. The earliest written record of the miracle dates from 1389.
The miracle of the blood of San Gennaro is scheduled to occur three times each year: the first Saturday in May (at Santa Chiara Church); September 19; and December 16. The most important of these is September 19, the saint's feast day, when the cathedral is packed with pilgrims and curious onlookers hoping to witness the miracle
Written May 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
piriot
Stresa, Italy642 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
St. Restituta is inside Duomo, on the left. You need to pay 2 euros to get in. Duomo is big and beautiful like most churches in Italy, but this little chapel is old and particular. It has been built around the year 400, so it is paleochristian from the times when christians were baptized in pools of water. The mosaics are from those times, possibly in one of them Jesus himself is being baptized by John. Very interesting little chapel, it does not take much of your time to visit.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendyanddavid536
Solihull, UK2,214 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
An amazing 6th century palaeo-Christian church incorporated into the wonderful Naples Cathedral. There are 27 ancient reused Greek columns, dazzling mosaics and a beautifully painted ceiling. When we were there, the basilica was decorated with a mass of red and white flowers, making an already beautiful place look absolutely stunning.
Written June 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renate V
Hartbeesfontein, South Africa1,096 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Make sure that you go into the beautiful Santa Restituta which forms part of the Duomo.It is beautiful and colourful. Just on a smaller scale
Written May 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yegor_b
Minsk, Belarus3,425 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
This one is the part attached to Duomo di Napoli cathedral, so you won't miss it. And surely it's worth a visit.
Written November 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StuwArt
Crystal Lake, IL157 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Built in the early 1600s, this is a magnificent architectural place. It's beautiful throughout. The only thing that detracts from it is the lack of respect some have for it being a place of worship and honor. I would love to hear its organ play, but alas that was not possible. Easy to walk to and certain worth spending an hour just taking it all in.
Written May 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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