Naples has a strong Catholic foundation, and, as such, there are beautiful churches all over the city.  There are big churches, little churches, and churches wedged between bigger buildings, but everywhere churches.  While in Naples, I continued to follow my personal rule of, “If the church door is open, go inside.”

A grand church

A neighborhood church sandwiched between two buildings

A neighborhood church in the evening

A neighborhood church with 21st century paraphernalia in front

My favorite thing about stepping inside a church is that every church is a new experience.  One is ornate.  One is simple.  One is austere.  One has real stone inlay.  The other has plaster paint that looks like stone.  They are all so interesting.

Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo

Interior of Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo

Another thing that I love is that you see beautiful architecture and beautiful artwork.  A lot of the citizens’ money went into these buildings, so there are wonderful things to see inside.  Even if the facade is rather plain, you can see astonishing paintings, sculpture and metalwork (silver and gold) inside.

The main basilica

Basilica central space

The sculpture above the alter in the basilica done in marble and gold

12th-century mosaics in a side chapel with gold mosaic tiles

Another side chapel of the basilica – all of the statues that you see are silverplated

A marble statue in the crypt of the basilica – notice how the fabric of the robes looks so light and loose, even though carved of stone

The other thing I love about visiting churches is that it gives you a respite from the city.  You won’t get a reprieve from the weather – if it’s hot outside, it’s usually hotter in the church.  However, you can get some peace and quiet from the busyness of the city.  As people walk into a church, they generally succumb to the sanctity of the space and acknowledge the calm and quiet of the interior by turning down the volume.  Regardless of your religious leanings, it’s a good place to sit and reflect and  think about your place in life.

Church at a convent – it’s pretty plain outside

Inside the convent church – notice that it’s relatively austere inside to match the nuns’ way of life

A nun’s tomb

Small monastery chapel (to the right of the larger yellow building)

Inside the monastery chapel

One final note on religious places in Naples – there are shrines all over the city.  They are built into retaining walls, apartment building walls, office building walls…

A shrine in a local neighborhood

Another wall shrine

A small shrine next to a produce shop