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Book the Best Guided Tours in San Gaudioso
Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.
- Explore the 2nd-largest underground catacombs in Naples and the Basilica of San Genarro with a bilingual guide and admission included.
- Visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanita, dating back to the 9th century AD, and witness the burial place of St. Gaudiosos.
- Get admission to the Cloister of Santa Chiara at a discounted rate and view tiles that portray pictures of surrounding regions and Mount Vesuvius.
- With a ticket upgrade, access a plethora of other monuments and perks in the Campania region. Entry to the first 5 sites will be completely free!
- Explore the 2nd-largest underground catacombs in Naples and the Basilica of San Genarro with a bilingual guide and admission included.
- Visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanita, dating back to the 9th century AD, and witness the burial place of St. Gaudiosos.
- Get admission to the Cloister of Santa Chiara at a discounted rate and view tiles that portray pictures of surrounding regions and Mount Vesuvius.
- With a ticket upgrade, access a plethora of other monuments and perks in the Campania region. Entry to the first 5 sites will be completely free!
Inclusions
- 1-hr guided tour of Catacombs of San Gaudioso and Basilica of San Gennaro
- Entrance to Catacombs and Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanita
- Expert English and Italian-speaking guide
- Discounted entry to the Cloister of Santa Chiara
- Artecard Campania (optional)
- Artecard Napoli (optional)
- Tip: Bring a flashlight to negate the low lighting conditions of the catacombs.
- This tour is unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.
- Relief plaques along the route make it possible for guests with visual impairment to participate.
- The guide speaks English and Italian.
- Facilities: Free Parking
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Follow a licensed English or Italian-speaking guide on a captivating 1-hour tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
- This guided tour will lead you through winding tunnels under the city to explore the eternal resting places of historic figures like Bishop San Gaudioso.
- Marvel at the ornate tombs and gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city.
- Enter San Gennaro and be amazed by the unique and macabre art collection featuring frescoes made using real bones and skulls
- Upgrade your ticket to include the Artecard Campania and avail discounts, 5 free entries and so much more!
- Follow a licensed English or Italian-speaking guide on a captivating 1-hour tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
- This guided tour will lead you through winding tunnels under the city to explore the eternal resting places of historic figures like Bishop San Gaudioso.
- Marvel at the ornate tombs and gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city.
- Enter San Gennaro and be amazed by the unique and macabre art collection featuring frescoes made using real bones and skulls
- Upgrade your ticket to include the Artecard Campania and avail discounts, 5 free entries and so much more!
Inclusions
- 1-hour guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso
- Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
- Entrance to Catacombs of San Gennaro
- Artecard Campania (optional)
- Artecard Napoli (optional)
- Tip: Bring along a sweater, even in hot weather, as the temperature in the catacombs varies between 15 and 22°.
- Relief plaques along the route make it possible for guests with visual impairment to participate.
- Facilities: Free Parking
- This tour is unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Visit the gem of Baroque art and architecture, and a place that is symbolic of the deep relationship between the people of Naples and the city's patron saint San Gennaro (St Januaris).
- Elaborately decorated with gorgeous paintings, frescoes, bronze and silver sculptures, the place has been a popular destination of worship for royals and commoners alike for centuries.
- Immerse yourself in a memorable storytelling experience with a 30-minute audio guide. Available in 5 languages and including 7 points of interest, the audio guide offers a simple touch display that gives you total control over the images and content you want to access.
- Collect your audio guide on the day and timeslot you have selected for your visit. Display your voucher on the phone at the Audio Guide Desk at the entrance of the Chapel, which is located inside the Cathedral of Naples.
- Visit the gem of Baroque art and architecture, and a place that is symbolic of the deep relationship between the people of Naples and the city's patron saint San Gennaro (St Januaris).
- Elaborately decorated with gorgeous paintings, frescoes, bronze and silver sculptures, the place has been a popular destination of worship for royals and commoners alike for centuries.
- Immerse yourself in a memorable storytelling experience with a 30-minute audio guide. Available in 5 languages and including 7 points of interest, the audio guide offers a simple touch display that gives you total control over the images and content you want to access.
- Collect your audio guide on the day and timeslot you have selected for your visit. Display your voucher on the phone at the Audio Guide Desk at the entrance of the Chapel, which is located inside the Cathedral of Naples.
Inclusions
- Entrance to the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro
- Official audioguide in 5 languages
- Tip: Listen to the audio guide to hear interesting tidbits as you marvel at the baroque architecture.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Top things to do in Naples
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All Your Catacombs of San Gaudioso Tickets Explained
Guided Tour
Duration: 1 hour
- Discover thousands of years of buried history in this guided tour just below Naples's busy Sanita district.
- Witness the final resting place of bishop Saint Gaudiosus, as well as many noble figures like Donna Sveva Gesualda, Marco Antonio d'Aponte, and Giovanni Balducci.
- Led by an expert bilingual guide (English & Italian), discover the perfectly eerie crypt and get goosebumps exploring the early days of Naples.
- Experience one of the world's creepiest collections of art, with frescoes that use real skulls and bones to honor the dead.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts
- Any rescheduling attempts made in less than 24 hours before the experience starts will not be accepted
Recommended Tour
Combo Tour
- Embark on a guided tour through the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and the revered Basilica of S. Maria della Sanità.
- With the same ticket, you can also visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro and the Basilica of San Gennaro for free.
- Discount for entry to the Santa Chiara cloister.
- Led by an English & Italian speaking guide, you can learn the history behind the frescoes and mosaics, and more.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your tickets for free until 24 hours before your visit and get a full refund.
Recommended Tours
City Pass
- Enjoy the convenience of visiting popular attractions with one easy-to-download pass.
- A 3-day pass offers access to over 40 attractions such as the Catacombs of San Gaudioso & San Gennaro, the Museum of Capodimonte, and many more.
- Enjoy free entry to the first 3 sights and save up to 50% from the 4th attraction.
- Get free rides on public transportation, making the itinerary light on your pocket.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel the tickets 24 hours before the experience starts and get a full refund.
Recommended Tour
Catacombs of San Gaudioso Highlights
The Fresco of Pascentius
One of the most ancient frescos in the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, this dates back to the 5th or 6th century and represents a welcome scene. Its center depicts the figure of the Apostle Peter, introducing the deceased Pascentius to an unknown figure, either Christ or probably St. Paul. Another striking element is the presence of two candlesticks with burning candles placed on either side of the figure, resembling African representations.
The Fresco of Madonna
The San Gaudioso Catacombs were confirmed as a burial site in the 16th century, after the discovery of the Madonna fresco that had been previously concealed by mud. The Madonna della Sanita dates back to the 5th-6th century and is the oldest depiction of the Virgin Mary in the Campania region. After the revelation of this fresco, the catacombs were entrusted to the Dominicans, who later built the Basilica so as to house them in the building.
Tombs of the 17th Century Noblemen
During the 17th century, the catacombs housed graves of the nobility, mostly the aristocrats and the clergy. The tombs of these noblemen were created in a unique procedure where the skulls were placed on display in the ambulatory walls, while the rest of the corpse was frescoed. This mostly included clothes and occupational instruments that symbolized the social status of the deceased. Interesting fact; these frescoes were created by an artist, Giovanni Balducci, who refused payment in exchange for securing a place among the aristocrats after his demise.
Plan Your Visit to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso
Timings
Getting There
Facilities
Accessibility
Dine
Rules
Nearby
Visitor Tips
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Thursday to Tuesday
- Closed On: Wednesday, December 25
- Last Entry: 1:00 PM
- Best Time to Visit: Visit in the summer when the underground temperature hovers around 15-22 degrees Celsius.
- Address: Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy Find on Map
- By Metro: Line 1, Line 2
Nearest Stop: Museo station, Cavour station - By Bus: Take bus lines 168, 178, C63, or R4 from the Museo Nazionale stop
Nearest Stop: Basilica Incoronata - Catacombe San Gennaro - By Car: Take the Tangenziale (beltline) to the Capodimonte exit (number 5) and turn right onto Via Capodimonte. San Gaudioso Catacombs is 7 min away from Capodimonte Museum.
Parking Facility: There is free parking for visitors.
- Relief plaques for easy navigation for visitors with visual impairments
- Free parking facilities
- Audio guides available, need to be bought separately
- The Catacombs of San Gaudioso are free from architectural barriers, however, due to hydrogeological instability, people with restricted mobility will find it not accessible
- Embossed plaques along the itinerary offer a seamless visit for the visually impaired
- The catacombs are not accessible by wheelchairs
- Accessible by strollers
- Starita: A classic Neapolitan pizzeria, famous for its Angioletti Fritti, 3 min away
- Cantina del Gallo: Oldest restaurant and pizzeria with more than 100 years of history, 2 min away
- Poppella: A popular pastry shop ideal for quick grab & bite, 1 min away
- Da Concettina a Tre Santi: Famous woodfire pizzeria with gourmet toppings, 2 min away
- Pizzeria La Campagnola: Local favorite joint for pizzas, pastas & spaghetti, 9 min away
- Carrying large backpacks and trolleys is prohibited
- Smoking or consumption of drugs (except prescribed medication) is strictly prohibited
- Make sure to reach the catacombs at your selected timeslot, don’t risk missing your tour!
- Using flashguns for photography is not allowed
- Catacombs of San Gennaro: Underground burial chambers for Paleo-Christians and site of worship, 12 min away
- Museum of Capodimonte: A treasure trove of Neapolitan art & paintings, ancient Roman sculptures, 7 min away
- Naples National Archaeological Museum: Houses ancient Roman remains and artifacts from Roman, Greek, and Renaissance times, 10 min away
- Sansevero Chapel Museum: A hidden gem of international artistic heritage, 7 min away
- Piazza del Plebiscito: Largest landmark square in Naples, home to the neo-classical Royal Palace, 12 min away
- Wear comfortable shoes and a light sweater or jacket as temperatures below ground remain at a cool 15 degrees Celsius even in summer
- Dress modestly as it is a holy place for Christians; wear knee-length dresses, and avoid putting on sleeveless outfits
- Visitors with cardiac conditions can avoid visiting San Gaudioso Catacombs as they might feel claustrophobic
- Visitors must have a moderate physical fitness level
Frequently Asked Questions About Catacombs of San Gaudioso
What are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?
The Catacombs of San Gaudioso, in Naples, are underground Christian burial chambers, dating back to the 4th or 5th century. The site contains remains of St. Gaudiosus and other members of the nobility.
Why visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?
The Catacombs of San Gaudioso is the second largest in Naples after those of San Gennaro, home to beautiful frescoes and mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries that depict early Christian symbols. In the 1600s, the catacombs became an important burial site for Naples' noble and aristocratic families. During your visit, you can discover several Neapolitan traditions and folklore around the cult of the dead and the afterlife.
How to book the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour?
You can book the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour online. This way you can book your preferred slot, plan in advance and eliminate the hassles of buying tickets from the venue in queues.
Can I explore the Catacombs of San Gaudioso on my own?
No, catacombs require an expert guide to help you navigate through the labyrinth of tunnels, ensure your safety and provide you with valuable information about the historical significance of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
Are guided tours available for the San Gaudioso Catacombs?
Yes, you can book guided tours of San Gaudioso Catacombs online and explore the ancient subterranean crypt, under the guidance of an English-Italian-speaking guide.
What is covered in a combo tour?
Booking a combo tour allows you to explore the San Gaudioso Catacombs along with free access to the San Gennaro Catacombs and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanita. It also includes a discounted entrance to the Cloister of Santa Chiara.
What is the cost of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso tour?
A guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso will cost you €11.
Where are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso located?
The San Gaudioso Catacombs are located in Via Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy.
Can I visit multiple catacombs in one day?
Yes, you can visit the Catacombs of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro on a combo tour. Book your tour in advance and ensure you have ample time to explore each catacomb fully.
Are the Catacombs of San Gaudioso accessible for individuals with mobility issues?
No, unfortunately, the catacombs have limited accessibility for people with disabilities due to their underground nature and uneven terrain.
Can I take photographs inside the San Gaudioso Catacombs?
Yes, photography is permitted inside the Catacombs of San Gaudioso. However, the use of flash guns is strictly prohibited.
Are there any dress code requirements for visiting the Catacombs of San Gaudioso?
Wear comfortable shoes as the surface is uneven and it’s a long walk inside the tunnels. Dress modestly to respect the sacred nature of San Gaudioso Catacombs, with knees and shoulders appropriately covered.