The Church of Santa Maria delle Anime of Purgatory at the Arch of Naples
The complex
The seventeenth-century complex of Santa Maria delle Anime of Purgatory in Arco located in via dei Tribunali, in the heart of the historic center. The baroque church was born in 1616 on the initiative of some nobles to give burial to the poor people of the city, without family and homeless.
In addition to the church, the complex also includes: the Opera Museum Pia, where liturgical objects, vestments, ornaments, silverware, manuscripts, paintings are exhibited; a lower church, located below the main upper church.
The element of greatest interest is precisely the Lower Church, which is accessed via an opening in the floor of the upper church and descending some high steps. This place, called hypogeum, is one of the most symbolic of Naples, where the cult of the souls of Purgatory is still celebrated. In a highly evocative atmosphere, among scarabattoli, niches, light bulbs with dim light, little altars, skulls, you can get an idea of the cult for the souls that was born spontaneously since the seventeenth century in the city of Naples.
Information on the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime of Purgatory in Arco
Opening time
Church, Museum and Hypogeum:
January March
Monday - Friday and Sunday
by 10: 00 14 to: 00
Saturday from 10: 00 to 17: 00
Guided tours:
Monday - Friday and Sunday:
10:30, 11:10, 11:50, 12:30, 13:10;
Saturday: 10: 30, 11: 15, 12: 00, 12: 45, 14: 00, 14: 45, 15: 30, 16: 15.
April - December
Monday - Saturday 10: 00 - 18: 00
Sunday 10: 00 - 14: 00
Guided tours:
Monday - Saturday - holidays
and Sundays with long opening
10:30, 11:15, 12:00, 12:45, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15, 17:00;
Sunday 10: 30, 11: 15, 12: 00, 12: 45.
price tickets
Entrance to the church is free
The Hypogeum and the museum are only accessible with a guided tour. The visits last around 30 minutes, and start at regular intervals.
Contribution for entry (including guided tour):
- € 6,00 single entry
- € 5,00 reduced (from 19 to 25 years, groups higher than 15 units or single visitors of the Cultural District of via Duomo)
- € 3,00 reduced guys (from 7 to 18 years)
- € 3,00 school children of every order and degree
- AAA Network - Welcome to Arte € 4,00
Address
Via Tribunali, 39 - 80138 Naples
How to Get There:
By subway
- Subway 2 Line, get off at Cavour stop, cross the square, go along via Duomo, turn right towards the major decumanus (about 10 minutes on foot)
- Subway 1 Line, get off at the Dante stop, drive along via Port'Alba and continue towards Piazzetta Pietrasanta up to Via dei Tribunali (about 7 minutes on foot)
Contact us
Tel: 081 440438 / 333 3832561
E-mail: complessomusealepurgatorio@gmail.com
Official site of the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime of Purgatory in Arco