Catacombs of San Gennaro or San Gaudioso: which to choose
What really differs
San Gennaro is the Christian cemetery of Capodimonte: two connected levels, the Crypt of the Bishops, the three-nave underground basilica, mosaics, and beneath it the Basilica of Sant'Agrippino with its throne carved into the rock. Around half a kilometre of route, almost entirely flat, with a one-hour guided tour. San Gaudioso is on a different scale: it lies beneath the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, at Via della Sanità 123, and in 45 minutes combines 5th–6th century frescoes and mosaics, works by Giovanni Balducci, and 17th-century noble burials with skulls embedded in the wall. The visit also includes the basilica above.
Ratings, honestly assessed
San Gennaro has a rating of 4.6 from 8,718 reviews, while San Gaudioso has 4.7 from 1,222. The second rating is higher but is based on a much smaller audience, and those who visit usually do so by choice: smaller groups, fewer passing tourists. I wouldn’t read that tenth of a point as a ranking. The full reviews are in the San Gennaro review and the San Gaudioso review.
Whichever you book, the other is included for twelve months. If you book San Gaudioso, entry to San Gennaro is free, and if you book San Gennaro, San Gaudioso and the basilica are included. This isn’t an offer: it’s how the ticket works.
Which to visit first
I always start with San Gennaro, for a matter of order: it’s the sanctuary from which everything begins, and understanding its history makes the other easier to grasp. If you’re short on time and already in the neighbourhood, though, it makes sense to enter via San Gaudioso: you descend into Via della Sanità without going back up to Capodimonte, and save the rest for another time—you have a year. The distances between the two entrances are in how to get there, the neighbourhood in between the Rione Sanità.
The second catacombCatacombs of San Gaudioso: guided tour
Most bookedCatacombs of San Gennaro: ticket and guided tour
Book the second catacomb
San Gaudioso lasts 45 minutes and includes the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, plus admission to San Gennaro valid for twelve months. Departures are listed below.
Frequently asked questions
Does the San Gennaro ticket also include entry to San Gaudioso?
Yes, and it is valid for twelve months. It also works the other way around. You can find the conditions in hours and tickets.
Which of the two catacombs is larger?
San Gennaro is much larger: two levels, about half a kilometre of route and two underground basilicas. Details in what you see underground.
What can you see at San Gaudioso that you cannot at San Gennaro?
The seventeenth-century noble burials with walled-in skulls and works by Giovanni Balducci, as well as fifth–sixth century frescoes and mosaics. The visit includes the basilica above.
How much time is needed to visit both?
About one hour for the first and 45 minutes for the second, plus the time to cross the neighbourhood between the two entrances: see how to get there.