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Fontanelle Cemetery

The Fontanelle Cemetery in Naples is located in the Sanità district in via delle Fontanelle, near the MANN - National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

The term " Fontanelle " refers to sources of water that were present in the cavities. The Fontanelle Cemetery was dug into the yellow tuff rock forming tunnels connected by corridors. The Cemetery is considered a unique site in the world full of anecdotes, stories and curiosities.

The Fontanelle Cemetery is a former ossuary that contains countless human remains. According to historians, the cemetery was built as a pagan and Christian necropolis . It currently collects almost 40,000 remains of victims of the great plague of 1656 and of cholera in 1836 .

It is thought that the cemetery is divided into different areas: the nave of the priests, the nave of the plague victims and the nave of the pezzentielli (poor people) . The Cemetery is known for the rite of the " pezzentelle souls " or the adoption of an abandoned skull by a Neapolitan citizen in exchange for protection.

Giacomo Leopardi is also thought to rest here, as he died during the cholera of 1836 even though he is buried in the atrium of the church of San Vitale.

Timetable and tickets

Address

Via Fontanelle, 80
80136 Naples

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