Cimitero delle Fontanelle
Latest page update: 4 February 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The Cimitero delle Fontanelle is one of the more unusual of the panoply of sights in Naples. Situated in the Materdei area, two kilometres north west of the city centre, the site is an ossuary where thousands of skeletons create a rather macabre spectacle.
You can reach the cemetery by public transport using the Metro underground train system followed by a ten minute walk. |
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It was in the 17th century that the site became established and its fascinating story is a snapshot of the last 500 years or so of Naples' history. The large cave structure was first used by the ruling Spanish as a way of creating more graveyard spaces in the city. Quite understandably, the Neapolitans of the time wished to be buried in churches and to facilitate that desire, the bodies that had occupied those spaces the longest were disinterred and moved here.
In 1656 the Italian peninsula and Naples in particular were hit by a terrible plague. Estimates vary on the number of victims which could have been as many as 200,000 from Naples alone. The huge number of dead bodies had to be dealt with and the Cimitero delle Fontanelle grew exponentially as a result.
Towards the end of the same century, Naples was hit by a great flood and with many of the cemetery's graves having been shallow, the horrific consequence was rivers of bones and skeletons floating around the city's streets. The remains were eventually collected and returned to the ossuary and sadly joined in great numbers in 1837 at the time of the cholera epidemic.
A strange cult emerged at the site whereby locals would adopt skulls in the cemetery or seek fortune by leaving them gifts. The local authorities put a stop to the practice in 1969 but the site is open again and the strange votive offerings on the skulls are among the highlights for a visit. Among the strangest exhibits are coins or even bus tickets given to the human remains in order to help them on their journey through the afterlife.
Although it's certainly not a place that will ever attract mass tourism, it is quite a fascinating experience and offers a glimpse into the sometimes superstitious nature of the Neapolitan people.
In 1656 the Italian peninsula and Naples in particular were hit by a terrible plague. Estimates vary on the number of victims which could have been as many as 200,000 from Naples alone. The huge number of dead bodies had to be dealt with and the Cimitero delle Fontanelle grew exponentially as a result.
Towards the end of the same century, Naples was hit by a great flood and with many of the cemetery's graves having been shallow, the horrific consequence was rivers of bones and skeletons floating around the city's streets. The remains were eventually collected and returned to the ossuary and sadly joined in great numbers in 1837 at the time of the cholera epidemic.
A strange cult emerged at the site whereby locals would adopt skulls in the cemetery or seek fortune by leaving them gifts. The local authorities put a stop to the practice in 1969 but the site is open again and the strange votive offerings on the skulls are among the highlights for a visit. Among the strangest exhibits are coins or even bus tickets given to the human remains in order to help them on their journey through the afterlife.
Although it's certainly not a place that will ever attract mass tourism, it is quite a fascinating experience and offers a glimpse into the sometimes superstitious nature of the Neapolitan people.
Cimitero delle Fontanelle
Region: Campania
City: Naples Province: Metropolitan City of Naples Established: 17th century Nearest Metro station: Materdei - Line 1 - 650 m - 9 minutes' walk |