San Ferdinando Church, Naples

The Church of San Ferdinando is a historic religious building situated on Piazza Triesti e Trento, in close proximity to the Royal Palace of Naples, right in the heart of Naples.

Originally, this site housed a church dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier, constructed in 1636 under the supervision of the Jesuit order. However, in the mid-1650s, a significant reconstruction project was undertaken, led by Cosimo Fanzago. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits from the region in 1767, the church was handed over to the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. They rededicated it to Saint Ferdinand III of Castile, who happened to be the patron saint of King Ferdinand IV, the reigning monarch of Naples at the time.

Inside the church, you'll find a vault adorned with a fresco depicting the life of Saint Francis Xavier and other Jesuit figures, crafted by the artist Paolo De Matteis. The church also boasts a collection of statues by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro and Giuseppe Sanmartino. Notably, the main altarpiece is a canvas portraying San Ferdinando, created by the artist Federico Maldarelli.