Santa Restituta, Baptistry of San Giovanni In Fonte and the Naples Duomo
The Naples Cathedral (Duomo di Napoli), also spoken of as the Cathedral of San Genaro who is the patron saint of Naples, was originally constructed in the 13th century in a gothic style. It was built over a very early Christian church, Santa Restituta. When the Duomo was built, the ancient church was incorporated into the massive new cathedral. The cathedral has undergone various renovations in the hundreds of years since its construction and consequently the interior is an awe inspiring mix of gothic / baroque / Neo gothic styles. Visiting today, it feels like a small basilica inside the massive Naples Cathedral. Some sources date the Santa Restituta and its baptistry to the late 4th century and some to the 5th century AD. Either way, this is one of the earliest baptistries in Europe. In the crypt there are archeological remains of a temple to Apollo and greek era wall. Under the apse of the Santa Restituta are the remains of a peristyle home and a stretch of roman aqueduct.
Santa Restituta still has its ancient columns, a nave with two side isles and its connection to the baptistry of San Giovanni in Fonte. When you enter the Duomo, Santa Restituta is off of the left isle as if a side chapel. The mosaics in the baptistry date from the 5th century and depict various biblical scenes related to water and the miracles of Jesus around the central dome with a Chi Rho and the Greek alpha and omega. Above the Chi Rho the hands of God are depicted holding a wreath.
Dome mosaic of the Baptistry of San Giovanni in Fonte
