The Spires of Naples’ Historic Centre: The History of a City in Monuments
There are five spires in Naples, but we will focus on the three located in the heart of the city’s historic centre. These imposing monuments are symbols of devotion and testify to the Neapolitan people’s desire to look up to the sky. A spire is an architectural element that rises vertically, usually with a sharp, slender shape, symbolising spirituality and aspiration.
The spires of Naples are dedicated to the city’s most venerated saints and are located in some of its most emblematic squares. Often, when walking through Naples, we pass by them without stopping to observe them properly. The time has come to rediscover them and appreciate them as they deserve!
The five spires that embellish the city are: the Spire of the Immaculate Conception, located in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and Materdei; the Spire of San Domenico; the Spire of San Gennaro; and finally the Spire of Portosalvo. These monuments, all expressions of Neapolitan Baroque, are richly adorned with statues, busts and bas-reliefs that enhance their beauty and significance.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the spires in the beloved historic centre of Naples.
The Spire of San Gennaro
We are in Piazza Riario Sforza. Here stands the Spire of San Gennaro, the oldest of Naples’ spires. Its construction began in 1637, commissioned by the Deputation of the Treasury of San Gennaro to thank the saint for protecting the city during the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631. The project was entrusted to Cosimo Fanzago; the architect and sculptor took nine years to complete it, although the spire was not considered finished until 1660.
At the base of the monument are four cherubs and a statue of the siren Partenope, holding a shield with an inscription of gratitude to the saint. The obelisk is a quadrangular column with large volutes, culminating in an Ionic capital adorned with winged cherubs. At the top, a bronze statue of Saint Januarius, created by Tommaso Montani, depicts him in the act of blessing, with the Gospel in his left hand, together with the sacred ampoules.
The Spire of the Immaculate Conception
The Spire of the Immaculate Conception, the tallest in Naples, is located in Piazza del Gesù. Before 1707, this space was occupied by an equestrian statue of Philip V of Bourbon, created in 1705 by Lorenzo Vaccaro and destroyed shortly afterwards by an angry mob. The current spire was designed by Giuseppe Genuino and erected by Giuseppe di Fiore in 1748, thanks to a public collection promoted by Father Francesco Pepe of the Society of Jesus and with the blessing of Bishop Lelio Carafa.
Twenty-two metres high, the structure is made entirely of marble and is divided into several elegantly decorated levels. At the base are panels with inscriptions dedicated to the Virgin Mary; higher up are cherubs and fruit garlands, followed by statues of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier (by Francesco Pagano) and St Francis Borgia and St John Francis Regis (by Matteo Bottigliero). Higher up, there are bas-reliefs representing the Nativity, the Annunciation, the Purification and the Coronation, also by Pagano and Bottigliero. At the top is a gilded copper statue of the Immaculate Virgin, also by Pagano. Every 8 December, the fire brigade places a wreath of flowers on the statue as a sign of veneration.
The Spire of San Domenico Maggiore
The Spire of San Domenico Maggiore has a long and complex history, beginning in 1656 when, following the plague, the Neapolitan people decided to erect a monument in gratitude to San Domenico. The original design, conceived by Antonio Picchiatti, was supervised by Cosimo Fanzago. However, work was suspended halfway through in 1680, and the monument remained incomplete for more than fifty years. With the arrival of Charles of Bourbon, the Dominican fathers entrusted the task to Domenico Antonio Vaccaro, who completed the project, respecting the original design.
Approximately 26 metres high, the spire stands on a quadrangular piperno base and gradually narrows towards the top. In the first order, there are two busts and two inscriptions, alternating with the siren Partenope, the work of Fanzago. Further up, the coats of arms of the Preaching Fathers, the Royal House of Spain, the city of Naples and Viceroy Pietro Antonio d’Aragona decorate the structure. Higher up, among the cherubs designed by Fanzago, there are medallions with reliefs depicting Saints Agnes, Pius V, Blessed Margaret and Vincenzo Ferrerio. At the top are the effigies of St. Hyacinth, St. Peter Martyr, St. Louis and St. Raymond, and even higher, medallions with images of St. Rose of Lima, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Anthony and St. Catherine.
The marble statue of Saint Dominic is probably attributed to an anonymous 18th-century sculptor, although Vaccaro created the sketch for the work. The Spire of Saint Dominic the Great is a symbol of hope and resilience for the city, as well as one of the most fascinating and mysterious monuments in Naples.
The spires of Naples are not mere urban decorations, but testimonies to a deep faith and a connection with the heavens that continues to intertwine with the history and culture of this extraordinary city.
The Hidden Beauty of the Historic Centre: Napoli Sotterranea
The historic centre of Naples, a World Heritage Site, is a fascinating blend of history, art and tradition, where every corner tells the story of centuries of change and continuity. Among its most fascinating wonders are its spires, but there is another extraordinary aspect to the city: Napoli Sotterranea. This world hidden beneath the streets of Naples is a veritable labyrinth of tunnels and ancient structures that tell the story of the city’s thousand-year history. Walking through the streets of the historic centre, the contrast between the brightness of the squares and the mysterious darkness of the underground offers us a unique insight into the beauty and historical depth of Naples, a city that never ceases to amaze.