The Sacred Mile: the three-hour guided tour in the Rione Sanità
The stops, in order
The route and timings are fixed. I describe them as experienced while walking.
Catacombs of San Gennaro, 50 minutes guided. It begins underground, in the two levels carved into the tuff: the Crypt of the Bishops and the underground basilica with three naves above, the Basilica of Sant’Agrippino with the bishop’s throne carved into the rock below. This is where the tomb of San Gennaro was located, moved to these galleries in the 5th century. The details of the underground route are in what you see underground.
Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, 40-minute guided tour. We descend into the neighbourhood. The basilica stands above the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, and it is where the area’s Christian history emerges from underground.
Break, 15 minutes. Short, and necessary: after an hour and a half of focused listening, legs need a rest.
Palazzo San Felice, 10-minute walk. One of the open hawk-wing staircases the neighbourhood is known for. We observe from the courtyard, in silence: people live here.
Via Vergini 19, 10 minutes. The old heart of the area, the street where I grew up. From here, the neighbourhood reveals itself from within.
Piazzetta Crociferi 4, 10 minutes. Final stop before the end.
Arrival at Piazza Cavour. We exit onto the metro and the historic centre, with Via dei Tribunali just a few minutes’ walk away.
What’s included
Usually included
- The guide for the full three hours
- Admission tickets to all stops on the route
- The Catacombs of San Gennaro, with a 50-minute guided tour
- The Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, with a 40-minute guided tour
Not included
- Transport to the meeting point
- Food and drinks during the break
- Photographs inside the catacombs are not permitted
The admission ticket to the catacombs is included, so the twelve-month rule for the Catacombs of San Gaudioso also applies here: after the Sacred Mile, you still have one entry left to use. I explain what is included in the price and what affects it in how much the visit costs.
Who I recommend it to and who I don’t
What works well
- The highest rating of the six tours: 4.9 out of 758 reviews
- Admissions included, no tickets to buy on the street
- Underground and above ground in the same route
- Ends at Piazza Cavour, convenient for the rest of the day
Things to know before
- Three hours on foot, with uphill and downhill sections in the neighbourhood
- Not ideal for those with only half a day available
- The stops have fixed times: you cannot pause as you wish
- The catacombs are closed on Wednesdays, and the tour with them
Closed-toe shoes with a sturdy sole, and an extra layer in your bag: underground is cooler than outside all year round.
Sacred Mile or just the catacombs
If you have one hour, take the catacombs-only tour: 45–50 minutes, same guide, same underground. If you have an afternoon and want to understand why this neighbourhood reopened its catacombs on its own, the Sacred Mile is the tour that answers the question. The comparison between the formats is in guided tours.
Highest ratingThe Sacred Mile: 3-hour guided tour
Most bookedCatacombs of San Gennaro: ticket and guided tour
Three sites in oneRione Sanità: underground walk
The detailed review of the walk, including what the reviews say, is in the Sacred Mile review.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the Sacred Mile last?
Three hours, with set times for each stop: 50 minutes guided tour in the Catacombs of San Gennaro, 40 minutes in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, a 15-minute break, and then three 10-minute stops until Piazza Cavour. It is the longest format among the guided tours of the neighbourhood.
Where is the Sacred Mile located?
In the Rione Sanità, between Capodimonte and Porta San Gennaro. The tour starts at the Catacombs of San Gennaro, on Via Capodimonte 13, and ends at Piazza Cavour, passing through Palazzo San Felice and Via Vergini. How to get to the starting point is in how to get there.
Is the catacombs ticket included?
Yes, the tour includes the guide and admission to all stops, catacombs included. The twelve-month access to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso also applies here: read how much the visit costs.
Is it tiring?
It lasts almost three hours, nearly all spent standing, with the climbs and descents of the neighborhood; the underground section, however, is spacious and flat. Those who have difficulty walking for long periods are better off with just the catacombs visit or one of the small-group tours.