San Pietro a Majella is a church in
Naples
Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...
,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
. The term may also refer to the adjacent
Naples music conservatory, which occupies the premises of the monastery that used to form a single complex with the church.
The church stands at the western end of
Via dei Tribunali, one of the three parallel streets that define the grid of the historic center of Naples; the church is considered one of the most significant examples of
Angevin
Angevin or House of Anjou may refer to:
*County of Anjou or Duchy of Anjou, a historical county, and later Duchy, in France
** Angevin (language), the traditional langue d'oïl spoken in Anjou
**Counts and Dukes of Anjou
*House of Ingelger, a Frank ...
architecture in Naples and was built at the wishes of
Giovanni Pipino da Barletta, one of the knights of
Charles II of Anjou
Charles II, also known as Charles the Lame (french: Charles le Boiteux; it, Carlo lo Zoppo; 1254 – 5 May 1309), was King of Naples, Count of Provence and Forcalquier (1285–1309), Prince of Achaea (1285–1289), and Count of Anjou and Maine ( ...
and the one responsible for destroying the last
Saracen
upright 1.5, Late 15th-century German woodcut depicting Saracens
Saracen ( ) was a term used in the early centuries, both in Greek and Latin writings, to refer to the people who lived in and near what was designated by the Romans as Arabia Pe ...
colony on the southern peninsula, in
Lucera
Lucera ( Lucerino: ) is an Italian city of 34,243 inhabitants in the province of Foggia in the region of Apulia, and the seat of the Diocese of Lucera-Troia.
Located upon a flat knoll in the Tavoliere Plains, near the foot of Daunian Mountain ...
.
San Pietro a Majella was built in the early 14th century in
Gotico Angioiano
The Gotico Angioiano is a Gothic style of architecture found in southern Italy. It is named after the Capetian House of Anjou and had been the style of the Kingdom of Sicily since 1266 and the Kingdom of Naples since 1302. It must not be confu ...
style and was named for and dedicated to Pietro Angeleri da Morone, a hermit monk from Maiella (near
Sulmona
Sulmona ( nap, label= Abruzzese, Sulmóne; la, Sulmo; grc, Σουλμῶν, Soulmôn) is a city and ''comune'' of the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. It is located in the Valle Peligna, a plain once occupied by a lake that disappeared in ...
) who became
Pope Celestine V
Pope Celestine V ( la, Caelestinus V; 1215 – 19 May 1296), born Pietro Angelerio (according to some sources ''Angelario'', ''Angelieri'', ''Angelliero'', or ''Angeleri''), also known as Pietro da Morrone, Peter of Morrone, and Peter Celes ...
in 1294. He was the founder of the Celestine monastic order, which occupied the church until 1799, when monasteries were suppressed by the
Neapolitan Republic. After the restoration of the monarchy, the monastery was reopened, but in 1826 was converted to house the
San Pietro a Maiella Conservatory, a function it preserves. The church underwent restoration in the 1930s and remains an open and active house of worship.
As was the case with much Angevin architecture in Naples, San Pietro a Majella underwent a Baroque make-over by the Spanish in the 17th century, but 20th-century restoration attempted to "undo" that and to restore the building to its original Gothic appearance.
Interior
The interior has three naves, separated by pillars supporting Gothic arches, with nine lateral chapels, plus four on each side of the chancel, and transept. The 14th century tomb of
Giovanni Pipino da Barletta, architect of the church, is placed on the counter-façade. The tomb was designed by
Giovanni Barrile, while the tombs of Petra family members are by the Neapolitan sculptor
Lorenzo Vaccaro
Lorenzo Vaccaro (1655 – 10 August 1706) was an Italian late-Baroque sculptor. He worked in a formalized restrained style.
He was born in Naples, the son of a lawyer. He apprenticed with Cosimo Fanzago and Dionisio Lazzari. He was a close frie ...
.
The main altar was completed in the seventeenth-century, built by
Cosimo Fanzago
Cosimo Fanzago (Clusone, 12 October 1591 – Napoli, 13 February 1678) was an Italian architect and sculptor, generally considered the greatest such artist of the Baroque period in Naples, Italy.
Facade Santa Maria della Sapienza.
Biography
Fanz ...
, and
Pietro
Pietro is an Italian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include:
People
* Pietro I Candiano (c. 842–887), briefly the 16th Doge of Venice
* Pietro Tribuno (died 912), 17th Doge of Venice, from 887 to his death
* Pietro II Can ...
and
Bartolomeo Ghetti, is decorated with large vases and candlesticks in silver and preceded by a
balustrade
A baluster is an upright support, often a vertical moulded shaft, square, or lathe-turned form found in stairways, parapets, and other architectural features. In furniture construction it is known as a spindle. Common materials used in its con ...
covered in polychrome marbles. It stands on it a fifteenth-century wooden crucifix, while behind there are frescoes of the 17th century and 16th century sculptures.
![SanPietroMajellaSoffitto](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/SanPietroMajellaSoffitto.jpg)
The ceiling of the nave, with drawers, and the transept feature paintings by
Mattia Preti
Mattia Preti (24 February 1613 – 3 January 1699) was an Italian Baroque artist who worked in Italy and Malta. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Saint John.
Life
Born in the small town of Taverna in Calabria, Preti was called ''Il Cava ...
depicting ''Episodes from the life of St. Peter Celestine'' and'' Saint Catherine of Alexandria'' (1657–59).
The works on the nave, starting from the entrance, are:
#''Accompanied by Charles II of Anjou with the Cross, St Peter Celestine the hermit becomes Pope''
#''St Peter Celestine in prayer at the Maiella church''
#''Glory of St Peter Celestine in papal robes, accompanied by St. Benedict''
#''St Peter Celestine in prayer at the Maiella church, suffering temptation''
#'' The saint with the tiara in hand, in the act of making the great refusal''
The works of the transept, from left to right, are:
#'' St Catherine defends her faith in dispute with the sophists''
#'' Develops stigmata in prison and assisted by the angels''
#'' Beheading of the saint in front of the tyrant
Maxentius
Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (c. 283 – 28 October 312) was a Roman emperor, who reigned from 306 until his death in 312. Despite ruling in Italy and North Africa, and having the recognition of the Senate in Rome, he was not recognized ...
''
#'' Mystic Marriage of St Catherine''
#'' Lifeless body of the saint, strewn with roses, is taken to heaven by angels''
Chapels
*First chapel on left: There is a painting by
Niccolo Rossi depicting ''Bishop San Biagio''; chapel has
Maiolica
Maiolica is tin-glazed pottery decorated in colours on a white background. Italian maiolica dating from the Renaissance period is the most renowned. When depicting historical and mythical scenes, these works were known as ''istoriato'' wares ( ...
tiles with designs typical of
Aragon
Aragon ( , ; Spanish and an, Aragón ; ca, Aragó ) is an autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to sou ...
.
*Second chapel on left: This is the chapel of the Spinelli-Raetano family with two funerary monuments of the family of which the one on the left wall, is characterized by a bust of the Roman period depicting
Trajan
Trajan ( ; la, Caesar Nerva Traianus; 18 September 539/11 August 117) was Roman emperor from 98 to 117. Officially declared ''optimus princeps'' ("best ruler") by the senate, Trajan is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor who presi ...
. The ''Assumption of the Virgin'' (1705) painted by
Giacomo del Po Giacomo is an Italian name. It is the Italian version of the Hebrew name Jacob.
People
* Giacomo (name), including a list of people with the name
Other uses
* Giacomo (horse), a race horse, winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby
* ''Giácomo'' (film) ...
.
*Third chapel on left: Allows entry or exit, to
Piazza Luigi Miraglia through port placed under the bell tower.
*Fourth chapel on left: Houses three tombs, one of which appears to be the tomb of the philosopher, physician and scientist
Leonardo Di Capua
Leonardo is a masculine given name, the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese equivalent of the English, German, and Dutch name, Leonard.
People
Notable people with the name include:
* Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Italian Renaissance scientist, ...
. The chapel is also characterized by decorations in marble and a ''Crucifixion'' by
Domenico Viola
Domenico Viola (c.1610-1620 - 1696) was an Italian painter and draughtsman, who was born and died in Naples. His pupils included Francesco de Mura, whilst his contemporaries in the Accademia di San Luca included Michelangelo Cerquozzi. Many paints ...
.
*Fifth chapel on left: The chapel is dedicated to the Colonna-Zagarolo family. Contains three paintings by
Francesco De Mura
Francesco de Mura (21 April 1696 – 19 August 1782) was an Italian painter of the late- Baroque period, active mainly in Naples and Turin. His late work reflects the style of neoclassicism.
Life
Francesco de Mura, also referred to as ''Fran ...
: ''Preaching Santoronzo'' (altar ),''Baptism of St. Horace'' (left wall) and ''Martyrdom of St. Horace'' (right wall).
*Transept - left apse: Dedicated to the Petra family, the chapel houses in the two side walls the funerary monuments of
Domenico
Domenico is an Italian given name for males and may refer to:
People
* Domenico Alfani, Italian painter
* Domenico Allegri, Italian composer
* Domenico Alvaro, Italian mobster
* Domenico Ambrogi, Italian painter
* Domenico Auria, Italian archit ...
and
Vincenzo Petra
Vincenzo is an Italian male given name, derived from the Latin name Vincentius (the verb ''vincere'' means to win or to conquer). Notable people with the name include:
Art
* Vincenzo Amato (born 1966), Italian actor and sculptor
*Vincenzo Bell ...
, archbishop of
Damascus
)), is an adjective which means "spacious".
, motto =
, image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg
, image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg
, seal_type = Seal
, map_caption =
, ...
,
cardinal
Cardinal or The Cardinal may refer to:
Animals
* Cardinal (bird) or Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds
**''Cardinalis'', genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae
**''Cardinalis cardinalis'', or northern cardinal, the ...
, and member of the
Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith
Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...
, both works of
Lorenzo Vaccaro
Lorenzo Vaccaro (1655 – 10 August 1706) was an Italian late-Baroque sculptor. He worked in a formalized restrained style.
He was born in Naples, the son of a lawyer. He apprenticed with Cosimo Fanzago and Dionisio Lazzari. He was a close frie ...
. In addition to the tiled floor, where there are two tombstones, one of 1739 to
Isabella Altemps the wife of the duke of
Gallese
Gallese is an Italian ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Viterbo, from Viterbo.
It was taken by Duke Thrasimund II of Spoleto in 737 or 738, at which time it was essential to communications between Rome and Ravenna and had a large fort ...
,
Nicholas Petra, the chapel is also characterized by a fresco depicting the Madonna del Soccorso.
*Transept - Second to the left of the apse chapel (Chapel Pippin): The floor is majolica tiles and is marked by a monument of
Paul Salbana
Paul may refer to:
*Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name)
*Paul (surname), a list of people
People
Christianity
* Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...
and
Giottesque
Giotto di Bondone (; – January 8, 1337), known mononymously as Giotto ( , ) and Latinised as Giottus, was an Italian painter and architect from Florence during the Late Middle Ages. He worked during the Gothic/Proto-Renaissance period. Giot ...
frescoes depicting ‘’Stories of Mary Magdalene’’. The author of the frescoes from Bologna was identified with the anonymous "Master John Barrile" active in
Naples
Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...
active in the Barrile Chapel of
San Lorenzo Maggiore
San Lorenzo Maggiore is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Benevento, in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is a member of the Titerno Local Action Group.
Geography
San Lorenzo Maggiore covers 16.17 square kilometers of hilly land ...
. The cycle of frescoes may have been made earlier than 1356, the year
Giovanni Pepino, the buyer, died.
![InternoMajella](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/InternoMajella.jpg)
*Transept on the right of the apse: Contains works of
Giovanni da Nola
Giovanni da Nola (1478–1559), also known as Giovanni Merliano, was an Italian sculptor and architect of the Renaissance, active in Naples.
He was born the son of a leather merchant, in Nola near Naples.
Da Nola moved to Naples where he trained ...
and
Onofrio De Leo. Of the first there is an altar with a ''Deposition'' (painting) and a sculpture of St Sebastian. The second there are two paintings, ''San Cristoforo da Padua with the host'' (1643) and ''San Francesco di Paola in front of the Kings of Aragon breaking a coin from which radiates blood'', and other paintings depicting the Madonna, San Domenico, John the Baptist and St Francis.
![LeonessaMajellaNaples](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/LeonessaMajellaNaples.jpg)
*Transept right of the apse chapel (Lionella Chapel): It has a cycle of frescoes dating depicting ''Stories of St. Martin'' (1355-1360). The chapel also has sculptures in marble, representing two arms of which one of the family Lionella and the other, the family Petra (whose chapel is located inside the church, to the left of the apse), depicting a lion rampant holding a stone in one paw and a severed head in the other.
*First chapel on right: There is the tomb of the family Stinga.
*Second chapel on right: There is a painting of ''St Benedict takes leave from St Scholastica'' by
Girolamo Cenatiempo.
*Third chapel on right: The chapel was badly damaged during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
and contains an altar and a painting of the ''Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order'' (1892). Both come from the destroyed Church of St Thomas Aquinas.
*Fourth chapel on right: (Chapel of St. Peter): On the front is a painting by
Massimo Stanzione
Massimo Stanzione (also called Stanzioni; 1585 – 1656) was an Italian Baroque painter, mainly active in Naples, where he and his rival Jusepe de Ribera dominated the painting scene for several decades. He was primarily a painter of altarpiece ...
, the ''Madonna appearing to St Peter Celestine'', while on the sides there are two paintings by Cenatiempo: on the right, ''Nativity of St Peter C.'', and left ''Death of St Peter Celestine'' (1711). Finally, in the vault and lunettes, also by Cenatiempo, are ''Apotheosis of St. Peter Celestine'' and allegorical figures.
*Fifth chapel on right: There is a ''Marriage of St Catherine'' by Cenatiempo and a ''Dream of St Catherine'' by
Nicola Malinconico
Nicola Malinconico (16631721) was a Neapolitan painter of the late-Baroque. He is described as a follower of Luca Giordano, and painted mostly religious canvases. He painted the chapel altarpieces for the church of St Michele Arcangelo in Anacapri ...
.
Notes
Sources
*De Lellis, De Minieri Riccio, ''Brevi notizie dell'archivio angioino'', Naples 1872.
*A. Venditti, ''Urbanistica e architettura angioina'', in ''Storia di Napoli'', Naples 1969.
*O. Morisani, ''L'arte di Napoli nell'età angioina'', in ''Storia di Napoli'', Naples 1969.
*Celano - Chiarini, ''Notizie del bello dell'antico e del curioso'', Naples 1972.
{{DEFAULTSORT:San Pietro A Majella
14th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy
Pietro a Majella
Gothic architecture in Naples
Celestine Order