Gazing up at this baroque masterpiece, can you believe the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Maggiore dei Falegnami has seen nearly five centuries come and go? It’s a survivor, this church. Originally built in the 1400s, it was first dedicated to the Sacra Famiglia, the Holy Family. But fate had other plans for the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Maggiore dei Falegnami. In the 1930s, Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi decided to relocate treasures from the original San Giuseppe Maggiore church, lost to time in the heart of Naples. So, this church was reborn, rededicated to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. Step inside, and you’ll find not just echoes of its past life but masterpieces. Look for the Angels by Angelo Viva, the Eternal Father sculpted by Giuseppe Sanmartino, and the grand altar crafted by Gaetano Barba. Feast your eyes on the Madonna and the Carmine by Girolamo Imparato. And remember the church’s namesake carpenters when you admire the two wooden statues, originally part of a nativity scene by Giovanni da Nola. Though now safeguarded in the Museo di Capodimonte, their legacy lives on here at the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Maggiore dei Falegnami. As you leave, take one last look at the dome. Those aren’t just tiles—they’re majolica, a testament to the enduring artistry that graces this remarkable church.
Fontana delle Conchiglie
This unassuming fountain, the Fontana delle Conchiglie, holds a secret. It wasn’t always meant to stand alone. Built in 1938