The church was
founded shortly after the iconoclast decrees of the eighth century caused a
number of religious orders to flee the Byzantine Empire and seek refuge elsewhere.
Those dedicated to Gregory, Bishop of Armenia founded their place of
worship in Naples on the site of an older
Roman temple of Ceres. In 1025 it was joined
with two other adjacent chapels into a single complex as a Benedectine monastic
order. The monastery still functions, retaining its high walls and maintaining
a spectacular inner courtyard with a central fountain with a sculpture
of Christ and the Samaritan by Matteo Bottigliero from
1733. The church is completely covered inside with frescoes and has
cloisters that were designed in 1580.
Church of Ges Nuovo
The
Church of Ges Nuovo
is covered with rich mosaics, inlaid marbles, paintings and sculptures. In a
side chapel, the busts of 70 saints perch serenely on top of their reliquaries
as if in miniature opera boxes. The opulent interior of this church, filled
with multi-color marble and with altars inlaid with semi-precious stones such
as agate, amethysts and lapis lazuli, is a sight to be seen.
Museo
Archeologico Nazionale
These archaeological treasures in this museum form one of the most
comprehensive collections of Graeco-Roman artifacts in the world. The museum
houses a rich collection of antiquities, including ones discovered at Pompeii
and Herculaneum. It also contains
the Borgia collection of Etruscan and Egyptian relics. On the mezzanine floor
are mosaics, mostly from Pompeii,
including the Battle of Alexander, the best-known depiction of the great
Macedonian King. It once paved the floor in the Casa del Fauno at Pompeii
and is just one of a series of remarkably detailed and lifelike pieces depicting
animals, scenes from daily life, musicians and even Plato with his students.
The Gabinetto Segreto or Secret Room recently opened to the public. It displays
a variety of erotic statues, including one of Pan up to no good with a nanny
goat and nine paintings depicting erotic positions, which served as a catalogue
for brothel clients.