An unprecedented underground route opens in Naples, under the Basilica of Pietrasanta

In Naples, the Lapis Museum, the museum housed in the Basilica della Pietrasanta complex, reopened on June 13 after its long coronavirus “hibernation”: for the occasion, the museum decided to open a new underground route. It is an unpublished section of the tufa quarry of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore alla Pietrasanta (the church famous for having the highest dome in the historic center of Naples): the closure period allowed the staff to work on the opening of the new path, which was already scheduled and therefore can now begin to welcome visitors.

In the unseen section, visitors will be able to see part of theGreco-Roman aqueduct of ancient Neapolis, which runs under the city for about a kilometer, passing through places with evocative names, such as the Cisterna dei Pozzari, the Archivio di Tufo, and the Piscina del Principe. Due to coronavirus contagion containment measures, a maximum of twelve people will be allowed to enter at a time (enter with escorted tours ), a number that allows for compliance with the one-meter spacing between visitors. In addition, there is areservation requirement. The Pietrasanta Association, which has managed the basilica and its basement for years, says it is pleased with this new opening, which allows Neapolitans and travelers to discover a new piece of the sunken city.

In addition, visitors will be able to visit the exhibition Sacra Neapolis. Cults, Myths, Legends, which has been extended to allow those who have not been able to see it to still be able to visit it.The exhibition displays 150 previously unseen artifacts from the deposits of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, which contribute to the story of the city’s founding. Among the most interesting pieces are the votive Stipe of Sant’Aniello a Caponapoli, which is revealed for the first time in its entirety, along with a group of sculptures from the imperial period, including an extraordinary polychrome Isis and a Nike, whose features are reminiscent of its much better-known counterpart on the steps of the Louvre in Paris.

For all information you can visit the Lapis Museum website.

An unprecedented underground route opens in Naples, under the Basilica of Pietrasanta

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