Beginning in 1714, the illustrious dead of the area were buried in the crypt of the Chiesa di San Matteo.  The bodies were placed in the marble niches, with marble “pillows” on which their heads rested.  In 1787, the remains were moved into common ossuaries inside the church. The Palazzo Rudinì dates from approximately 1760,…

The Palazzo del Duca di Castrofilippo can be found on the Ruga de Alemannis.  This street is literally lined with sumptuous palaces, which were built by some of the area’s most notable families.  Today, the buildings serve many different purposes.  The Palazzo del Duca di Castrofilippo has now been divided up into residential apartments. The…

Diagonally across the street from the Chiesa di San Giovanni dei Napoletani was our next destination, the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Catena.  This church dates from 1490, when it was built to house a chapel from a pre-existing, smaller church, where a miracle had taken place.  It seems that in 1342, three prisoners, who…

In Piazza San Giacomo La Marina, you will find the Chiesa di Santa Maria La Nova.  The church dates from 1534, but it was not completed until 1582. The Chapel of the Crucifix contains a wooden crucifix from the 18th century, as well as a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, by the artist, Girolamo…