Naples - Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast - page 96

European armour to ancient pottery and sumptuous paintings spanning the 15th to the
19th centuries. Much of the collection belonged to 19th-century prince Gaetano Filangieri,
whose private, walnut-panelled biblioteca (library) afforded him commanding views of
the building's showpiece Sala Agata (Agatha Hall). At the time of research, future prices
and opening times had not been confirmed. Contact the museum or tourist office for up-
dates.
It's in this hall that you'll find many of the museum's highlights, among them Luca
della Robbia's delicate sculpture Testa di fanciullo imberbe (Head of a Beardless Boy),
Adriaen Hendriex van Ostade's humourous painting Interno di taverna (Inside a Tavern) ,
and Giuseppe de Ribera's deeply psychological canvas Santa Maria Egiziaca (St Mary of
Egypt).
The museum building itself dates back to the late 15th century, its design heavily influ-
enced by the architecture of Renaissance Florence. Incredibly, the widening of Via Duomo
in the 1880s saw the palazzo completely demolished and rebuilt 20m further back.

Santissima Annunziata
Offline map
( 081 254 26 08; Via dell'Annunziata 34; 8am-noon & 5.30-7.30pm Mon-Sat,
7.30am-1pm Sun, former orphanage 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, crypt 8am-noon & 5.30-7.30pm
Mon-Sat, 7.30am-1pm Sun; R2 to Corso Umberto I) The most engrossing site at this
14th-century religious complex is its infamous ruota (wheel), set in the orphanage wall to
the left of the basilica. As late as the 1980s, unwanted children were placed in a hollow in
the wheel. On the other side of the wall sat a nun ready to take the baby, wash it in the ad-
jacent basin and record its time of entry. Older children were sometimes forced into it,
subjecting them to serious injury.
The basilica itself was significantly restructured by Luigi Vanvitelli and his son Carlo
after a devastating fire in 1757 (the soaring 67m-high cupola is one of their additions).
Luckily, the 1580 sacristy (to the right of the nave) survived the blaze. Here, exquisitely
carved wooden armoires by Girolamo D'Auria and Salvatore Caccavello depict New
Testament scenes, while vault frescoes by Belisario Corenzio take care of Old Testament
tales. If the sacristy is closed, seek out the sacristan and politely request to see it.
Another fire survivor is the wooden mamma chiatta (chubby mother), a sculpture of the
Virgin Mary in the third chapel to the left of the nave. Its image was once reproduced on
the leaden medals worn by the children left at the former orphanage.
Continue through into the building's main courtyard. If the first door on the right-hand
wall is open, step inside and sneak through the red curtains on your left. Your reward will

CHURCH, HISTORIC SITE