I would not have originally noticed this church had it not been for the bronze skulls on posts outside. From there one begins to look at the façade and the wealth of carving reveals crowned skulls with drapery drawn out of the eye sockets. The whole effect is rather striking, if a bit sinister and Lovecraftian.
The church was built in 1616 and appears to have become a center for Naples unofficial cult of the dead. There were certainly offerings there when we were visiting. There is a hypogeum underneath the church (well where else?).
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| Santa MAria delle Anime del Purgatori ad Arco |
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