Naples, restoration of the cell of St. Thomas Aquinas in San Domenico Maggiore ends

In Naples, the restoration of the Cell of St. Thomas d’Aquinas in the Complex of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples, one of the most important monuments of the Neapolitan historic center, where and also taught Thomas d’Aquinas, one of the most important thinkers in the history of the West, among the main theological and philosophical pillars of the Catholic Church and the point of connection between Christianity and classical philosophy, is finished: the intervention, promoted by theFriends of Naples Onlus Association together with Giuseppe, Giulia and Gabriella d’Aquino di Caramanico and the Sansevero Chapel Museum with the collaboration of the Friars of the Convent of San Domenico Maggiore and the City of Naples, concerned the small cell inside theinside the Basilica where St. Thomas Aquinas (Roccasecca, 1225 - Abbey of Fossanova, 1274) lived for about two years, and where the saint’s relics and relics are currently kept.

The work, which was carried out under the supervision of the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Naples, has given the environment a new light, but not only that: the lighting system has been modernized, the entrance door and the painting by Francesco Solimena depicting the saint have been restored, the ancient gilded frames and wooden parts have been recovered, and new display panels have been installed. Welcoming visitors to the Cell is music written and composed by St. Thomas himself.

The project with the restoration work, despite numerous difficulties due to the pandemic, was started in May 2020 and has just been completed: the lighting system, with the collaboration of the lighting experts from Studio Light, has been replaced and adjusted to current technological standards, improving the fruition of the environment so as to enhance the works of art and relics inside the cell; the painting of St. Thomas d’Aquino by Francesco Solimena has regained its colors thanks to the restorer Karin Tortora and the contribution of Matilde Giliberti Lauro Grotto d’Aquino; the access door to the Cella was restored and repainted with the ancient technique of faux wood by Ernesto Signorelli and thanks to the generosity of Merribel Ayres; cleaning interventions affected the ancient gilding that decorates the niche containing the saint’s humerus thanks to the work of artisan Giovanni Buonocore; contributing to the restoration of the wooden parts were the firms Euromediterranea Mobili and Sorrentino. Exhibition panels, with text in Italian and English, accompanied by photographs recounting the vicissitudes of the relics of St. Thomas, were designed for a new and in-depth enjoyment of the site, made possible thanks to the contributions of artisans Domenico Minini and Sansone Sicurezza, Ippolito Tessuti and SIE Impianti. The firms Del Core Restyling and Home Decoration provided assistance during all stages of processing.

“Friends of Naples is a great team,” says Alberto Sifola, president of the non-profit organization. “We are a cross-sectional team composed of art historians, technicians and artisans who carefully follow the guidelines of the Superintendency. What represents our strength is the agreement we wish to have with everyone, so that the work we propose together gives joy and great pride to all those who bring it to fruition. Passion is what must always guide us. Naples requires a reborn, absolute, unconditional passion. Only then can we regain possession of our immense artistic heritage. The Saint’s Cell is a microcosm that required refined intervention, taken care of down to the smallest detail by expert and incredibly numerous scholars and artisans: a large group of marble workers, gilders, carvers, carpenters, blacksmiths, upholsterers, masons, lighting technicians, canvas and faux wood restorers collaborated, taking turns in a very special but very small space.”

The interventions carried out are the result of a collaboration between public and private operators united by the intent to care for and enhance the immense historical and artistic heritage of Naples. The opening ceremony of the Cell will be held on Saturday, October 16, and will be broadcast live on Friends of Naples Onlus’ Instagram channel (www.instagram.com/friendsofnaples/channel/). The program includes at 5 p.m. a “Conversation on St. Thomas Aquinas” with Professor Giovanni Ventimiglia, professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Lucerne, considered one of the world’s leading scholars of the saint’s thought and life. This will be followed at 6 p.m. by Mass officiated for the occasion by Archbishop of Naples Domenico Battaglia. The St. Thomas Cell will be open to visitors on the DOMA museum circuit, daily Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For info and reservations visit the complex’s website. Presenting the Sansevero Chapel Museum entrance ticket provides a discount on the purchase of the full DOMA Museum ticket, until January 10, 2022.

Naples, restoration of the cell of St. Thomas Aquinas in San Domenico Maggiore ends

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