The Rione Sanità of Naples it is an area of extraordinary historical and cultural richness, located north of the Neapolitan city, between the Archaeological Museum and the Capodimonte hill. This neighborhood extends along the axis of Via Sanità, and is built on an ancient site which served as a burial place during the Greco-Roman era.
The numerous catacombs present, such as those of San Gennaro and San Gaudiosotestify to the long history of interaction between the inhabitants and the concepts of life and death.
The origin of the name of the Rione Sanità
The name “Sanità”, which might seem paradoxical given its past as a burial place, it actually comes from the Latin word “salubritas,” which means health or wholesomeness. This denomination refers to the rereputation of the neighborhood as a pure and uncontaminated placerenowned for its fresh, clean air compared to the more congested city center.
Over the centuries, the Rione Sanità was surrounded by idyllic countryside and was considered a healthy refuge from the more frenetic and unhealthy urban life.
The RIonian developed significantly at the end of the 16th century, becoming an area favored by noble families and wealthy bourgeoisyes, as demonstrated by the majestic baroque buildings that still dot the neighborhood today. Over time, however, Sanità has taken on a more popular connotationremaining one of the liveliest and most characteristic neighborhoods of Naples.
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Myth and legends in the Rione Sanità
The history of Rione Sanità is intrinsically linked to the presence of its catacombs, places that for centuries have been associated with miraculous healings.
The inhabitants of the neighborhood and passing pilgrims believed that the prayers offered in these sacred places could lead to the healing of illnesses, thus contributing to the aura of “sanity” that the neighborhood continued to carry in its name.
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The Rione Sanità today
Today, the Rione Sanità is a vibrant fabric of the city of Naples, known not only for its phistorical heritage but also for modern initiatives of redevelopment and social and cultural enhancement.
Local organizations, often in collaboration with church and community groups, actively work to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood by promoting art, culture and social redemption.
