Catacombe di San Gennaro (Catacombs of San Gennaro), Naples (must see)

The Catacombs of San Gennaro, located in Naples, Italy, are subterranean sites used for Christian burials and religious activities during the paleo-Christian era. These catacombs were carved into tuff, a porous stone, and are situated in the northern part of Naples, on the slope leading up to Capodimonte. They consist of two levels known as San Gennaro Superiore and San Gennaro Inferiore. These catacombs are situated beneath the Rione Sanità neighborhood of Naples, which is sometimes referred to as the "Valley of the Dead." The site is now easily recognizable due to the presence of the large church of Madre del Buon Consiglio.

The tombs found in these catacombs come in various forms, including loculi, arcosoli, pits dug into the ground, and, less commonly, sarcophagi made of tuff or reused marble and stone from older graves. Loculi are simple, vertically aligned burial sites and represent the most basic style of burial discovered in the catacombs. However, they do not necessarily indicate the status of the deceased. On the other hand, arcosoli, designed for family burial areas, are incorporated into the walls of the galleries and cubicles and exhibit a more sophisticated design compared to loculi. Some of these arcosoli are adorned with mosaics or frescoes, and burials may be stacked horizontally. This type of burial is also found in Sicilian catacombs and is sometimes referred to as a "Siracusa" burial, commonly found in Greek catacombs. Occasionally, child burials are located in the lower part of the lunette, showcasing the efficient use of space in the catacombs.

The catacombs have yielded approximately 200 oil lamps dating from late antiquity to the Middle Ages. Among these lamps, 54 are of the African red slip variety. A comprehensive study of all the lamps will eventually provide insights into trade routes during the historical period, as well as the demographics of people who used the catacombs for burial and religious rituals. The oldest oil lamps discovered in these catacombs date back to the latter half of the third century and were produced in Naples itself.