The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Naples, Italy

🌆 City Overview !!

Naples, the capital of the Campania region in southern Italy, is a vibrant metropolis of nearly one million residents dramatically located on the Bay of Naples, about 120 miles southeast of Rome. Rising from sea level to 450 meters, the city lies between two volcanic zones: Mount Vesuvius to the east and the Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields) to the northwest. Once called Campania Felix ("Happy Countryside") due to its fertile volcanic soil and Mediterranean climate, the region remains rich in natural beauty and agriculture.

Naples’ Catholic heritage spans over 1,700 years, beginning with early Christian evangelization. The city is home to San Gennaro (St. Januarius)—its beloved patron saint—whose blood is said to miraculously liquefy three times annually. With nearly 500 historic churches and 1,000 religious buildings, Naples has the highest church concentration in the world, earning it the nickname "City of 500 Domes."

✝️ Major Catholic Pilgrimage Sites

1. Naples Cathedral (Duomo di Napoli)

Local Name (Italian):Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta / Duomo di San Gennaro

Colloquial Name:Il Duomo (Italian)

🏛️ Type: Cathedral, Relic Shrine

📖 Description / Highlights:

Built between 1294–1323 in Gothic-Angevin style, the Duomo houses the relics of San Gennaro and the miraculous liquefaction of his blood (Sept 19, 1st Saturday in May, Dec 16). The site includes the 4th-century Basilica of Santa Restituta, Europe's oldest baptistery, and an ornate chapel for San Gennaro.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Naples, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///balanced.drilling.shelters

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8525, 14.2596

🌐 Website

2. Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Vecchi e Immacolata di Lourdes

Local Name (Italian):Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Vecchi e Immacolata di Lourdes

Colloquial Name:San Giuseppe dei Vecchi (Italian)

🏛️ Type: Parish Church, Tomb of Servant of God

📖 Description / Highlights:

Final resting place of Don Dolindo Ruotolo, mystic and Servant of God, known for his "Act of Abandonment to Jesus." Pilgrims knock three times on his tomb seeking intercession. St. Padre Pio once referred locals to him, saying: "Go to him, he is a saint."

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Via Salvatore Tommasi, 20, 80135 Naples, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///sharks.carton.tycoon

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8567, 14.2398

🌐 Website

3. Santa Maria Francesca delle Cinque Piaghe

Local Name (Italian):Chiesa di Santa Maria Francesca delle Cinque Piaghe

Colloquial Name:Santa Maria Francesca (Italian)

🏛️ Type: Shrine Church, Saint's Sanctuary

📖 Description / Highlights:

Tomb of St. Maria Francesca of the Five Wounds, a mystic and the first woman saint of Naples. Pilgrims visit her cell and relics, praying especially for healing and family needs.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Vico Tre Re a Toledo, 13, 80132 Naples, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///frock.reward.tokens

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8425, 14.2467

🌐 Website

4. Basilica Santuario di Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore

Local Name (Italian):Basilica Santuario di Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore

Colloquial Name:Santa Maria d’o Càrmene Maggiore, Mamma d’o Carmene (Neapolitan)

🏛️ Type: Basilica Sanctuary

📖 Description / Highlights:

Home to the miraculous 13th-century icon “Vergine Bruna”, this Carmelite sanctuary has seen miraculous events including cannonball deflection in 1439. Celebrated annually on July 15 with fireworks and processions.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Piazza del Carmine, 2, 80142 Naples, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///marble.ducks.winks

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8468, 14.2683

🌐 Website

5. Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio (Capodimonte)

Local Name (Italian):Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio a Capodimonte

Colloquial Name:Basilica di Capodimonte

🏛️ Type: Basilica Sanctuary

📖 Description / Highlights:

Inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this Neo-Baroque church was built between 1920–1960. Located near the Catacombs of San Gennaro, it's a monumental expression of Neapolitan Marian devotion.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Via Capodimonte, 13, 80136 Naples, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///sharks.carton.tycoon

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8567, 14.2398

🌐 Email: basilicaincoronata@libero.it

6. Santuario Maria Santissima del Buon Consiglio (Torre del Greco)

Local Name (Italian):Santuario-Parrocchia "Maria Santissima del Buon Consiglio"

Colloquial Name:Santuario del Buon Consiglio

🏛️ Type: Sanctuary-Parish, Marian Sanctuary

📖 Description / Highlights:

Founded in 1902 by Fr. Raffaele Scauda, this sanctuary was rebuilt after being bombed in WWII—only the wall with the Madonna’s image survived. Continues charitable work to this day.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Via Nazionale, 788, 80059 Torre del Greco, Italy

• 🧿 What3Words: ///craving.tanks.deeply

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.7654, 14.4167

🌐 Contact via BeWeB database

7. Santuario della Madonna dell’Arco

Local Name (Italian):Santuario della Madonna dell’Arco

Colloquial Name:Madonna dell’Arco

🏛️ Type: Religious Building, Sanctuary

📖 Description / Highlights:

A major site of popular Campanian devotion known for miracles and votive offerings. Every Easter Monday, the fujenti walk in pilgrimage. Site dates back to a 1450 miraculous bleeding image.

🧭 Directions:

• 📍 Address: Via Madonna dell’Arco, 178, 80048 Sant’Anastasia, Naples

• 🧿 What3Words: ///marine.deeply.plums

• 🗺️ Google Maps: View Map

• 📌 GPS Coordinates: 40.8697, 14.3886

🌐 Website

⛪ Nearby Sacred Site: Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei