Church of Saint Mary of the Souls in Purgatory at Arco
A place where the boundary between the world of the living and the dead becomes thin, almost imperceptible
The Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco is not just a masterpiece of Neapolitan Baroque, but the guardian of a profound spiritual bond: the cult of the "pezzentelle" souls.Crossing the threshold of this "church on two levels," visitors are embraced by the magnificence of 17th-century art, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Massimo Stanzione, Luca Giordano, and Andrea Vaccaro.
However, the true soul of the complex lies in its hypogeum, a vast underground cemetery that offers a mystical journey into the belly of Naples. Here, amidst skulls adorned with flowers and small votive offerings, Neapolitans have for centuries "adopted" anonymous souls, caring for their remains in exchange for protection and intercession. It is an experience that resonates with the deepest aspects of human existence, inviting you to discover how in Naples, death is never an end, but an eternal dialogue of devotion and hope
INFO
ADDRESS: Via Tribunali, 39, 80138 Napoli (NA)
PHONR NUMBER: +39 081 440438
WEB: www.purgatorioadarco.it
MAIL: info@purgatorioadarco.it
