SAN GENNARO CATACOMBS

The San Gennaro Catacombs, the most extensive in southern Italy, are located beneath one of the most populated and characteristic neighborhoods in Naples, and they represent an important piece of the city's history: that of its protector saint, San Gennaro, whose body was laid to rest in these catacombs, existent in the 5th Century. From that time on, the catacombs were a pilgrimage destination up until the end of the 9th Century. In time forgotten, they were only rediscovered in the 1600s.
The spectacular San Gennaro catacombs were recovered by a joint collaboration between l'Altra Napoli Onlus and other citizens' associations in the Sanità quarter. Currently, they are managed by social cooperative "La Paranza," a grouped formed by local youths.