The basilica was founded and in 1587 at the behest of Costanza Doria del Carretto, who donated it to the Theatine Fathers. It was designed by architect Francesco Grimaldi in 1610 was rebuilt taking on its present appearance.
Contenuti / Contents
The Architecture of the Basilica
The church consists of three naves with a Latin-cross plan inscribed in a rectangle, at the sides the chapels and at the top the dome; today’s facade was rebuilt in the second half of the 1700s
the imposing dome, was designed by Grimaldi, brings a great deal of light into the entire room thanks to large windows opened in the drum.
The interior of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Pizzofalcone.
The interior and decorations by Giovan Battista Beinaschi, who frescoed the nave and transept with scenes from the Life of the Virgin (1668-1675) and the dome with the Coronation of the Virgin; some of these depictions such as the Presentation of the Temple were destroyed during the last war.
The large canvases are by Francesco Maria Caselli made around the mid-1600s for the apse and transept decorations.
Main works of the Basilica
The chapel dedicated to the Immaculate has a canvas depicting the Virgin Mary by Massimo Stanzione, while other paintings by master Giovan Bernardo Azzolino campegiano in the 1st and 3rd chapels on the left side.
The main altar, by Giovan Battista Broggia, is another important work in the basilica and is kept in the choir: it is neoclassical in style and has on its right a painting by Paolo De Matteis depicting St. Andrew in Ecstasy.
By Tito Angelini the two sepulchres carved for the Serra family of Gerace, which are located in the first chapel.
Also in the church is the marble monument of jurist Giuseppe de Gemmis (1734-1812).
Recently, in the area on which the building stands, archaeological finds dating back to 16th-century Naples were discovered during excavations for the new subway station.
