From its position nestled in the heart of Naples, the Sacri Cuori di Gesu e Maria church has seen centuries come and go. The church’s history begins not with hymns and prayers, but with the intrigue of politics. In the late 16th century, this site held not a church but a grand palace. It belonged to Roberto Sanseverino, the Prince of Salerno. However, the powerful Sanseverino family fell from grace, their palace seized due to political machinations. In a twist of fate, the Jesuits purchased the property in the 1580s. They transformed the grand palace into the Sacri Cuori di Gesu e Maria that we see today. But the church’s journey wasn’t without its bumps. The Jesuits faced expulsion in 1767 and again in 1848. Despite these upheavals, the Sacri Cuori di Gesu e Maria persevered, its story forever etched in the heart of Naples.
Fontana delle Conchiglie
This unassuming fountain, the Fontana delle Conchiglie, holds a secret. It wasn’t always meant to stand alone. Built in 1938