San Paolo Maggiore (Naples)

40.85144 14.25683Coordinates: 40 ° 51 ′ 5.2 " N , 14 ° 15 ′ 24.6" E

Frontal view of the Church of San Paolo Maggiore

San Paolo Maggiore is a baroque church and is located in the city of Naples . It is located in Piazza San Gaetano . On December 14, 1951, it was elevated to a minor basilica .

history

View with parts of the Roman temple before 1688 and after

In ancient times the Piazza San Gaetano was the main square of the city, in Greek times called Agora , in the Roman forum . The Roman temple of the Dioscuri was located where the present church stands. Two columns of this temple have been preserved and were built into the facade of the church in a clearly visible manner. Until the collapse of the complex in 1688, larger parts of the temple were preserved.

In the 9th century, a church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul was built on the ruins of the Roman temple, which are still visible.

The current church building dates from 1583 to 1603, the side aisles were built in 1627. San Paolo Maggiore was built according to plans by Francesco Grimaldi .

Sacristy and crypt

In the sacristy there are paintings by the Neapolitan painter Francesco Solimena .

The entrance to the crypt is next to the entrance stairs at street level. Inside is the grave of St. Kajetan von Thiene . In front of the church, in Piazza San Gaetano , there is a statue of this saint.