Church of the Spirito Santo, Naples
The basilica of the Holy Spirit is a small church from 1562. Previously on this spot stood the Duke of Monteleone palace, flanked on both sides by two music conservatories: one of the so-called White brotherhood (Real Compagnia and Arciconfraternita dei Bianchi dello Spirito Santo) and the other of the Green sisterhood. Their names were due to the colors of the clothing worn by the students: the former being the poor of the city, and the latter – the daughters of prostitutes.
The expansion works of 1572-1576 saw the White Convent complex, of which only the homonymous oratory remains today, incorporated into the body of the church, drastically increased.
Complete with its famous dome, the church stands over 70 meters high. The dome was built in 1775 during renovation of the central basin, in order to provide illumination for the nave. Both, the nave and the dome's inside are devoid of any pictorial or otherwise decorative element, whereas the rest of the interior is lavishly decorated with sculptures by Michelangelo Naccherino and Paolo Persico.
There are also numerous paintings: of the Pentecost by Francesco de Mura; of Madonna and saints by Fedele Fischetti, of the Assumption by Francesco Celebrano; and of Madonna, saints and the Pentecost by Fabrizio Santafede – all dating back to the same period.
The expansion works of 1572-1576 saw the White Convent complex, of which only the homonymous oratory remains today, incorporated into the body of the church, drastically increased.
Complete with its famous dome, the church stands over 70 meters high. The dome was built in 1775 during renovation of the central basin, in order to provide illumination for the nave. Both, the nave and the dome's inside are devoid of any pictorial or otherwise decorative element, whereas the rest of the interior is lavishly decorated with sculptures by Michelangelo Naccherino and Paolo Persico.
There are also numerous paintings: of the Pentecost by Francesco de Mura; of Madonna and saints by Fedele Fischetti, of the Assumption by Francesco Celebrano; and of Madonna, saints and the Pentecost by Fabrizio Santafede – all dating back to the same period.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Naples. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Church of the Spirito Santo on Map
Sight Name: Church of the Spirito Santo
Sight Location: Naples, Italy (See walking tours in Naples)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Naples, Italy (See walking tours in Naples)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Naples, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Naples
Creating your own self-guided walk in Naples is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Naples Introduction Walking Tour
“See Naples and die.” German poet and scientist Goethe was convinced that Naples represented the epitome of human experience.
The city has been continuously inhabited for nearly three thousand years. Its origins date to the 8th century BC, when Greek settlers from Euboea established a small coastal colony known as Parthenope, near the site of today’s Ovo Castle. As the settlement expanded... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The city has been continuously inhabited for nearly three thousand years. Its origins date to the 8th century BC, when Greek settlers from Euboea established a small coastal colony known as Parthenope, near the site of today’s Ovo Castle. As the settlement expanded... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Historical Churches
Christianity in general and the Catholic faith in particular have always played an important role in the social and cultural life of Naples. Not everyone knows that the city boasts the highest number of churches in the world – almost 500 historic “houses of God” (1,000 in total) – accumulated over the course of 17(!) centuries. Hence the nickname – “the city of 500 domes”.
And... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
And... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Naples Old Town Walk
After travelling to Naples in 1835 using a false passport, French painter and writer Alexandre Dumas described the Old Town’s streets as true storytellers in his travel writings.
From the Middle Ages onward, the Old Town developed as a dense network of neighbourhoods organised around churches, convents, guilds, and markets. Religious institutions played a decisive role in shaping the urban... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
From the Middle Ages onward, the Old Town developed as a dense network of neighbourhoods organised around churches, convents, guilds, and markets. Religious institutions played a decisive role in shaping the urban... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles