Calatrava Reopens Baroque Church in Naples with Contemporary Intervention

After over 50 years, the Church of San Gennaro in the Real Bosco di Capodimonte in Naples has reopened to the public, transformed by a global artistic intervention by architect Santiago Calatrava. The Baroque jewel, built in 1745 by Ferdinando Sanfelice for Charles of Bourbon, now features new lighting, stained glass, ceiling work, and porcelain installations inspired by the values of the Real Bosco. Calatrava personally selected local artisans for the project, which he donated entirely to the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte. The intervention is part of the exhibition 'Santiago Calatrava. Nella luce di Napoli,' running until August 22, 2021, curated by museum director Sylvain Bellenger and Robertina Calatrava. The reopening was attended by Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, who praised the blend of contemporary art and Baroque as an extraordinary experiment. The project was supported by the Regione Campania with European funds (POC 2014-2020), organized by Scabec in collaboration with Studio Calatrava and Studio Avino. The church's organ and bells have also been restored, adding to the visitor experience.