Restoration of San Gennaro Chapel Floor Reveals Baroque Masterpiece

The floor of the Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro in Naples has undergone a complete restoration, funded by Fondazione Deloitte and promoted by the Reale Deputazione della Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro. The Baroque marble floor, designed by Cosimo Fanzago (1591-1678), was restored over eight months under the guidance of Giuseppe Giordano, with technical direction by Alessandra Risolo and operational direction by Melina Pagano of R.O.M.A. Consorzio. The intervention included cleaning, removal of incongruous stuccoes, consolidation of the marble surface, integration with marble inlays, and final protection with microcrystalline waxes, restoring the floor's original readability and luminosity. The chapel was built following a vow made by the people of Naples to San Gennaro on January 13, 1527, to protect the city from plague, war, and Vesuvius eruptions. Construction began in 1608 under Francesco Grimaldi and was completed in 1646, featuring frescoes by Domenichino and Lanfranco. The restoration precedes the 500th anniversary of the vow in 2027. Mariano Bruno, Deputy of the Chapel, stated that the restoration coincides with Naples' preparation for international events including the next America's Cup, and aims to initiate broader conservation interventions.