Page 494 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

492  SOUTHERN IT AL Y

Exploring Central Naples by Luca Giordano. Via San
Gregorio Armeno is lined with
The part of Naples bordered by Via Duomo to the east, Via the workshops of vendors of
Tribunali to the north, Via Toledo (Roma) to the west and the Nativity figures (presepi).
water to the south is the old heart of the city. Especially rich
in 14th- and 15th-century churches, the area offers visitors E Museo Filangieri
Palazzo Cuomo, Via Duomo 288.
an abundance of sights. Tel 081 20 31 75. Open 10am–4pm
Tue–Sat, 10am–2pm Sun and public
hols. &
The 15th-century Renaissance
Palazzo Cuomo houses the
Museo Filangieri. Founded in
1881, the original museum
collections put together by
Prince Gaetano Filangieri were
destroyed during World War II.
The current collection contains
interesting and varied objects,
including porcelain, embroidery,
manuscripts, Italian and Spanish
arms, objects from local
archaeological excavations and
paintings by such artists as Luca
Giordano, Ribera and Mattia
Preti. There is also an important
Interior of San Gregorio Armeno bust by Antonio Canova.
R San Lorenzo Maggiore daughter Maria, whom he saw
Via dei Tribunali 316. Tel 081 45 49 48 here on Easter Eve 1334. For
(church), 081 211 08 60 (excavations). Naples, San Lorenzo Maggiore
Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily (to 1:30pm is a rare Gothic edifice. Its nave
Sun). & excavations. 7 church. and the apse ambulatory have
This Franciscan church is mainly a magnificent period simplicity.
14th-century (with an 18th- The church houses medieval
century façade) and was built tombs that include the Gothic
during the reign of Robert the tomb of Catherine of Austria,
Wise of Anjou. The storyteller who died in 1323, by a pupil
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313–75) of Giovanni Pisano. Excavations
reputedly based the character in the monastic cloister, where
Fiammetta on King Robert’s the lyric poet and scholar
Petrarch (see p163) once
stayed, have found the
remains of a Roman
basilica. There are also
important Greek and
medieval excavations. Renaissance tomb of Cardinal Brancaccio,
Sant’Angelo a Nilo
R San Gregorio
Armeno R Sant’Angelo a Nilo
Piazza San Gaetano 1. Piazzetta Nilo. Tel 081 211 08 60. Open
Tel 081 552 01 86. Open am 9am–1pm, 4:30–7pm daily (am only
daily. & cloister. Sun & public hols). 7
Benedictine nuns still This 14th-century church holds a
preside over this church. fine Renaissance work: the Tomb
The attached convent of Cardinal Rinaldo Brancaccio.
earned a reputation for Designed by Michelozzo, it was
luxury since the nuns, sculpted in Pisa, then shipped
traditionally from noble to Naples upon completion in
families, were accustomed 1428. Donatello reputedly
to lavish living. carved the right-hand angel
The sumptuous drawing back the curtain, the
The simple Gothic interior of San Lorenzo Maggiore, Baroque interior of the shallow relief Assumption and
looking down the nave to the apse church sports frescoes the cardinal’s head.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp576–7 and pp600–605

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm