San Gregorio Armeno

On the famous Via San Gregorio Armeno or otherwise known as Christmas Alley stands one of the most characteristic and unique churches in Napoli.  In 726 this building was a temple dedicated to keeping the relics of Saint Gregory bishop of Armenia.  In 1205, it became a church with a monastery.  in 1580, the structure was transformed with the addition of four side chapels, a square apse with cupola and an entrance through the vestibule from the street.  The attention of the eyes drawn to the magnificent ceiling by the Flemish painter Teodoro D'Errico.  It is divided into twenty sections, with gilded engraving and decorations, small landscapes painted on wood and a painting on canvas telling the story of the martyrdoms of the saints, whose relics are preserved in the church.  In 1684, the famous Neapolitan painter Luca Giordano decorated the dome and the nave, with the Stories of Saint Gregory.  He also decorated the choir stalls and the far wall with the story of the monastery.  Alterations in the Rococo style were made during the second half of the eighteenth century, to the nave, chancels, chapels and the choir stalls.  There is also the famous Baroque cloister. 

Via S. Gregorio Armeno, 1 - 80138 Napoli

Tel.:  +39 081 552 01 86 / 081 551 70 76

Church and cloister - Free entry.

Opening times:

Church:  Mon - Fri  09.00 - 12.00 / Sat - Sun 09.00 - 13.00

Cloister:  Mon - Sun 09.00 - 12.00

Nearest metro station:  Linea 1 - DANTE or Linea 2 - PIAZZA CAVOUR