On the right-hand side of Via del Duomo, stands the cathedral, dedicated to St Januarius (San Gennaro), patron saint of Naples. Originally built between 1294 and 1323 in French Gothic style, it was considerably restored and altered after an earthquake in 1456. In the center of the front, which dates from 1877 to 1905, is an older doorway (1407). In the south aisle is the sumptuously appointed chapel of St Januarius (1608-37), on the principal altar of which is a silver bust containing the skull of St Januarius, bishop of Beneventum, who was martyred in 305, in the time of Diocletian.
In the tabernacle are two vessels containing the saint's blood, which is believed to have the power of liquefaction. The liquefaction, which, according to the legend, occurred for the first time when the saint's remains were transferred to Naples in the time of Constantine is said to take place twice a year on several successive days celebrated as special festivals (particularly on the first Saturday in May in the church of Santa Chiara and on September 19th in the cathedral). The saint's tomb can be seen in the richly decorated Confessio (1497-1506) under the high altar.
To the left of the cathedral in Naples stands the Archbishop's Palace, and to the north of this, in Largo Donnaregina, is the Baroque church of Santa Maria Donnaregina (1649; no admission). Adjoining this church on the north is the older Gothic church of the same name (entrance at Vico Donnaregina 25), restored 1928-34, with the tomb of Queen Mary of Hungary (d. 1323) and fine frescoes by Giotto's contemporary Pietro Cavallini and his school (c. 1308) in the elevated nuns' choir.
The Castel Capuano, usually known as the Vicaria, at the east end of Via dei Tribunali was a Hohenstaufen and later an Angevin stronghold which has been occupied since 1540 by law courts.
West of the cathedral in Naples, in Via dei Tribunale, are two fine Baroque churches - the church of the Girolamini (Hieronymites) or of San Filippo Neri (1592-1619), with a collection of pictures, and San Paolo Maggiore (1590-1603), built on the ruins of a temple of the early Empire (remains on the facade).
Address: Girolamini, Via dei Tribunale, I-80100 Naples, Italy
500m/550yd northwest of the Castel Capuano, in Strada Carbonara, the former church of San Giovanni a Carbonara (begun 1343, enlarged in the 15th century, recently restored) contains the Gothic tomb of King Ladislaus (d. 1414).
To the south of San Paolo Maggiore, in Via San Gregorio Armeno, is the restored Gothic church of San Lorenzo Maggiore (1266-1324), with the fine tomb of Caterina d'Austria (d. 1323), and other tombs and frescoes. The adjoining Franciscan monastery, in which Petrarch stayed in 1345, has a notable cloister and a chapter-house decorated with frescoes.
Opposite the northeast corner of the Castello is the domed church of Santa Caterina a Formiello (1519-93) and farther east the Porta Capuana, a beautiful Renaissance gateway (1485; further work 1535).
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