Naples Naples ( ; ; ) is the Regions of Italy, regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 908,082 within the city's administrative limits as of 2025, while its Metropolitan City of N ...

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

Benedictine order The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly Christian mysticism, contemplative Christian monasticism, monastic Religious order (Catholic), order of the Catholic Church for men and f ...

Olivetans The Olivetans, formally known as the Order of Our Lady of Mount Olivet, are a monastic order. They were founded in 1313 and recognised in 1344. They use the Rule of Saint Benedict and are a member of the Benedictine Confederation, where they are ...

Tuscany Tuscany ( ; ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of 3,660,834 inhabitants as of 2025. The capital city is Florence. Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its in ...

Alfonso I of Aragon Alfonso I (7 September 1134), called the Battler or the Warrior (), was King of Aragon and Navarre from 1104 until his death in 1134. He was the second son of King Sancho Ramírez and successor of his brother Peter I. With his marriage to U ...

Domenico Fontana Domenico Fontana (154328 June 1607) was an Italian"Domenico Fontana."
''

Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

style by Gaetano Sacco. In 1798, King Ferdinand I removed the Olivetan order from the convent and church. The lay Arch-Confraternity of Lombardi moved into the church of Monteoliveto, which soon was renamed ''Sant'Anna dei Lombardi''; the name was changed because the confraternity in 1798 had lost their own nearby church which had been dedicated to Saint Anne. In 1805, an earthquake collapsed a large part of the church. This collapse destroyed three

Caravaggio Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (also Michele Angelo Merigi or Amerighi da Caravaggio; 29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610), known mononymously as Caravaggio, was an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life. During the fina ...

paintings that once stood in the church: ''St Francis in Meditation'', ''St Francis Receives Stigmata'' and a ''Resurrection''. The entire complex was at one time one of the largest monasteries in Italy, occupying what today can be measured only in "city blocks". Urban renewal from the 1930s literally built around the old premises, leaving much of the original structure standing in the center. For example, the gigantic main post office in Naples is at west end of the old monastery and the older edifice was simply incorporated into the back of the Naples Central Post Office such that the monastery seems to flow out of the more modern building. At the east end, the church, itself, is still in use, but the adjacent monastery premise and courtyard are now a

Carabinieri The Carabinieri (, also , ; formally ''Arma dei Carabinieri'', "Arm of Carabineers"; previously ''Corpo dei Carabinieri Reali'', "Royal Carabineers Corps") are the national gendarmerie of Italy who primarily carry out domestic and foreign poli ...

(Italian national police force) barracks.

Description

The church structure is unusual in that the nave has no transept, thus no crossing, but instead has a linear rectangular layout with ten lateral chapels. The initial plan is attribute to

Andrea Ciccione Andrea Ciccione (1388–1455), also known as Andrea di Onofrio, Nofri, and da Firenze, was an Italian architect and sculptor of the Renaissance. He was born and died in Florence, but spent much of his career in Naples. He trained under Masuccio ...

, but it underwent an updated refurbishment in a late

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

style by

Fontana Fontana may refer to: Places Italy *Fontana Liri, comune in the Province of Frosinone *Fontanafredda, comune in the Province of Pordenone * Fontanarosa, comune in the Province of Avellino *Francavilla Fontana, comune in the Province of Brindisi ...

. He is commemorated in the portico by a monument. The architect

Benedetto da Majano Benedetto da Maiano (1442 – 24 May 1497) was an Italian Early Renaissance sculptor. Biography Born in the village of Maiano (now part of Fiesole), he started his career as a companion of his brother, the architect Giuliano da Maiano. When he ...

helped design and decorate the ''Piccolomini'' and ''Correale'' Chapels. The church decoration and structure reflects the 17th century and later reconstructions, which now obscure the original

Gothic architecture Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...

. Among its decorated interiors are the 16th century sanctuary which contains sculpture by Guido Mazzoni,

Antonio Rossellino Antonio Gamberelli (1427–1479), Janson, H.W. (1995) ''History of Art''. 5th edn. Revised and expanded by Anthony F. Janson. London: Thames & Hudson, p. 465. nicknamed Antonio Rossellino for the colour of his hair, was an Italian Renaissance ...

,

Benedetto da Majano Benedetto da Maiano (1442 – 24 May 1497) was an Italian Early Renaissance sculptor. Biography Born in the village of Maiano (now part of Fiesole), he started his career as a companion of his brother, the architect Giuliano da Maiano. When he ...

,

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 traine ...

, Pedro Rubiales and others. Gothic details are still preserved in the tomb of

Domenico Fontana Domenico Fontana (154328 June 1607) was an Italian"Domenico Fontana."
''

Giovan Domenico Vinaccia by

Bartolomeo Bartolomeo or Bartolommeo is a masculine Italian given name, the Italian equivalent of Bartholomew. Its diminutive form is Baccio. Notable people with the name include: * Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo (1824–1860), Italian paleobotanist and ...

and Pietro Ghetti. At the mouth of the piazza in front of the church, is the '' Fontana di Monteoliveto'' (Fountain of Monteoliveto). It was commissioned by

Pedro Antonio de Aragón Pedro Antonio de Aragón (7 November 1611 – 1 September 1690) was a Spanish nobleman, military figure and politician who served under Kings Philip IV and Charles II of Spain. He was the brother of Cardinal Pascual de Aragón, Viceroy of Naples ...

from the architect

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. Biography Early life and education Fanzago was ...

, and completed in 1699. Atop stands a bronze statue of

Charles II of Spain Charles II (6 November 1661 – 1 November 1700) was King of Spain from 1665 to 1700. The last monarch from the House of Habsburg, which had ruled Spain since 1516, he died without an heir, leading to a European Great Power conflict over the succ ...

. Frommer's entry
/ref>

Chapels

Right side

* Mastrogiudice Chapel: contains a ''Madonna and Child with Saints John the Baptist, Jerome, and Andrea'' by

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 traine ...

and fresco cycles by

Battistello Caracciolo Giovanni Battista Caracciolo (also called Battistello) (1578–1635) was an Italian artist and important Neapolitan follower of Caravaggio. He was a member of the murderous Cabal of Naples, with Belisario Corenzio and Giambattista Caracciolo ...

. *Chapel of the Annunciation: adjacent to the first, there is another chapel with a ''Madonna with Child and Saints Peter and John the Baptist'' and a ''Christ and St. Peter on the lake of Galilee'' by

Girolamo Santacroce Girolamo Santacroce (c. 1502 – c. 1537) was a 16th-century Italian sculptor and medalist of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Naples Naples ( ; ; ) is the Regions of Italy, regional capital of Campania and the third-largest ci ...

. *Chapel of Santa Francesca Romana: Has paintings of the ''life of the saint'' by Vincenzo Fate and Giovanni Battista Lama, frescoes by

Giuseppe Simonelli Giuseppe Simonelli (Naples, c.1650–1710) was an Italian painter, active in a late-Baroque style. Biography Born in Naples around 1650, Simonelli was one of the most important painters of the school of Luca Giordano. His early works were often ...

. *Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua: There are frescoes of ''Life of St. Anthony'' by

Nicola Malinconico Nicola Malinconico (1663–1721) 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 Anac ...

and ''St Anthony of Padua'' and ''Preaching of St. Anthony'' by Annibale Caccavello. Monteoliveto3

*Scala Chapel: Contains tombs of the military, likely Spanish, Scala family. These remains are housed under the plaque with flower designs placed at the center of the marble floor. The backe wall of chapel shows an altar surmounted by a wooden crucifix by an unknown master, as well as a cycle of frescoes on the ''Life of Christ'' by Malinconico. *Chapel of St. Christopher'': has an altarpiece of ''St Christopher'' by

Francesco Solimena Francesco Solimena (4 October 1657 – 3 April 1747) was a prolific Italian Baroque painter, one of an established family of painters and draughtsmen. Biography Francesco Solimena was born in Canale di Serino in the province of Avellino. H ...

, the ''tomb monument of Bosco Caesar'' by

Matteo Bottiglieri Matteo Bottiglieri (1684–1757) was an Italian sculptor and painter from Naples. One of his first works is a marble "Dead Christ" (1724), in the crypt of the Capua Cathedral, perhaps executed after drawings by Francesco Solimena. In 1733 he exec ...

and in the vault frescoes of ''Life of St Christopher'' by

Giuseppe Simonelli Giuseppe Simonelli (Naples, c.1650–1710) was an Italian painter, active in a late-Baroque style. Biography Born in Naples around 1650, Simonelli was one of the most important painters of the school of Luca Giordano. His early works were often ...

. *Chapel of the Goldsmiths (''Capella de Orefice'' on the side of the apse) There are frescoes depicting ''Stories'' and ''Virtues of the Virgin'' by Luigi Rodriguez. On the sides are funerary monuments Antonio Orefice and his son Girolamo D'Auria. *Fiodo Chapel: Accessed by a passageway, on side walls are burial monuments for Antonio d'Alessandro, the Baron of

Cardito Cardito is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about northeast of Naples. Cardito borders the following municipalities: Afragola, Caivano, Casoria, Crispano, Frattamaggiore. It ...

and diplomat and jurist. His wife, the Neapolitan aristocrat Maddalena Riccio (Rizzo) is buried beside him. The tomb was designed and sculpted by Giovan Tommaso Malvern in 1491. The tomb monument of Antonio Fiodo was completed by

Francesco da Sangallo Francesco da Sangallo (1494–1576) was an Italian Renaissance sculptor, the son of the architect and sculptor Giuliano da Sangallo. Sangallo was born in Florence. His father took him at the age of ten to Rome where, in 1506, he was present at ...

and Bernardino del Moro. *Chapel of Mourning (Cappella del Compianto) After the Fiodo Chapel, this houses the sculpture of the ''Lamentation over the Dead Christ'' (1492) by Guido Mazzoni. On the back wall there is a ''Calvary'' by Giuseppe Mastroleo. *Antechamber which gives the sacristy: In the above the sacristy of Vasari is a

majolica In different periods of time and in different countries, the term ''majolica'' has been used for two distinct types of pottery. Firstly, from the mid-15th century onwards, ''maiolica'' was a type of pottery reaching Italy from Spain, Majorca a ...

tiled floor, frescoes on the vault, an altarpiece of

Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede or Fabrizio Santaféde (c. 1560–1623/28) was an Italian painter known for his altarpieces. He painted in a style that rejected the Mannerism popular in the Naples of his time and evident in the works of Francesco Curia. Life ...

depicting ''Assumption of the Virgin'' and to the side of a fresco portrait of an Olivetan monk, by

Vasari Giorgio Vasari (30 July 1511 – 27 June 1574) was an Italian Renaissance painter, architect, art historian, and biographer who is best known for his work '' Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects'', considered the ide ...

. * Sacristy of Vasari: Reached by a passageway through Fiodo Chapel. The sacristy has Tuscan Renaissance style frescoes painted by

Giorgio Vasari Giorgio Vasari (30 July 1511 – 27 June 1574) was an Italian Renaissance painter, architect, art historian, and biographer who is best known for his work ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects'', considered the ideol ...

, as well as wooden stalls decorated with wooden inlay (1506–10) by Fra Giovanni da Verona.

Left

*Tolosa Chapel (in left transept, accessed by passageway. The frescoes are Cristoforo Scacco di Verona and the canvas by Reginaldo Piramo da Monopoli. The terracotta was likely from the Della Robbia studio, originally destined for the Cappella Piccolomini. *Piccolomini Chapel: This chapel is an quintessential example of Tuscan

Renaissance architecture Renaissance architecture is the European architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 16th centuries in different regions, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of Ancient Greece, ancient Greek and ...

. The chapel was completed by

Giuliano da Majano Giuliano da Maiano (1432–1490) was an Italian architect, intarsia-worker, and sculptor, the elder brother of Benedetto da Maiano, with whom he often collaborated. Biography He was born in the village of Maiano, near Fiesole, where his fat ...

,

Benedetto da Majano Benedetto da Maiano (1442 – 24 May 1497) was an Italian Early Renaissance sculptor. Biography Born in the village of Maiano (now part of Fiesole), he started his career as a companion of his brother, the architect Giuliano da Maiano. When he ...

and

Antonio Rossellino Antonio Gamberelli (1427–1479), Janson, H.W. (1995) ''History of Art''. 5th edn. Revised and expanded by Anthony F. Janson. London: Thames & Hudson, p. 465. nicknamed Antonio Rossellino for the colour of his hair, was an Italian Renaissance ...

following the example of the ''Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal'' found in

San Miniato al Monte San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, central Italy, standing atop one of the highest points in the city. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most scenic ...

in

Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...

.

*Avalos Chapel: Contains an altarpiece depicting ''Madonna and Child with Saints Benedict & Thomas'' (1606) by

Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede or Fabrizio Santaféde (c. 1560–1623/28) was an Italian painter known for his altarpieces. He painted in a style that rejected the Mannerism popular in the Naples of his time and evident in the works of Francesco Curia. Life ...

. Frescoed on the dome and drum are ''Stories of Old and New Testament'' by Giovanni Antonio Arditi and Antonio Sarnelli. *Chapel of Santi Mauro e Placido: Contains an altarpiece of the ''Madonna and Child with Saints Mauro and Placido'' (1708) by

Paolo de Matteis Paolo de Matteis (also known as ''Paolo de' Matteis''; 9 February 1662 – 26 January 1728) was an List of Italian painters, Italian painter. Biography He was born in Piano Vetrale, a hamlet of Orria, in the current Province of Salerno, and died ...

. The frescoes on the ceiling and lunettes depict the ''Glory and Life of the Saints Mauro and Placido'' were painted by

Nicola Malinconico Nicola Malinconico (1663–1721) 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 Anac ...

. The side walls have two memorials: on the left, is a tomb dedicated to ''John and Charles Rapario'' with a depiction of the Flagellation by an unknown Neapolitan master of 1576, the other tomb is dedicated to ''Grazia Cavaniglia'' and is by Giacomo della Pila. * Porcinari Chapel: Contains works by

Paolo de Matteis Paolo de Matteis (also known as ''Paolo de' Matteis''; 9 February 1662 – 26 January 1728) was an List of Italian painters, Italian painter. Biography He was born in Piano Vetrale, a hamlet of Orria, in the current Province of Salerno, and died ...

,

Francesco Di Maria Francesco di Maria (1623–1690) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active mainly in Naples. He was a pupil of the painter Domenichino. Maria was an early mentor of Francesco Solimena, Giacomo del Pò, and Paolo de Matteis Paolo de ...

,

Pacecco De Rosa Pacecco De Rosa (byname of Giovanni Francesco De Rosa; 17 December 1607 - 1656) was an Italian painter, active in Naples. Biography He was a contemporary of Massimo Stanzione or, according to others, a pupil of him. De Rosa was influenced by his ...

, and Carlo De Rosa. *Chapel of St John the Baptist: contains a sculpture of ''John the Baptist'' (1516) by

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 traine ...

. The ''Annunciation'' and ''Pietà'' bas-reliefs are by Giacomo della Pila, while frescoes of ''Glory'' and ''life'' of the saint are by while De Matteis. *Savarese Chapel (on the side of the apse): On the front wall is an anonymous 15th-century fresco, while the sides feature ‘’Delivery of keys to St. Peter'' and ''St. Peter saved from the waters'' (1608) by

Carlo Sellitto Carlo Sellitto (1581 – 2 October 1614 in Naples) was an Italians, Italian painter of the Baroque period. One of the most gifted followers of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), Sellitto played an important role in the spread of Ca ...

.

References

Sources

* François de Sade, ''Viaggio in Italia'', Bollati Boringhieri, Traduzione di G. Ferrara degli Uberti, . Florence, 1996. * Vincenzo Regina, ''Le chiese di Napoli. Viaggio indimenticabile attraverso la storia artistica, architettonica, letteraria, civile e spirituale della Napoli sacra'', Newton e Compton editore, Naples, 2004. * ''Napoli sacra. Guida alle chiese della città'', Naples (1993-1997)

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anna Dei Lombardi Buildings and structures completed in 1411 Churches completed in the 1410s 1411 establishments in Europe 15th-century establishments in Italy Anna dei Lombardi Christian monasteries established in the 1410s Gothic architecture in Naples Renaissance architecture in Naples