Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ: opening hours, tickets and visitor guide
A small chapel in the heart of the Historic Centre that holds Giuseppe Sanmartino's Veiled Christ, one of the most famous sculptures in the world. What to see, how to book, when to go and where to stay just around the corner.
At a glance
- Address
- Via Francesco De Sanctis 19/21, behind Piazza San Domenico Maggiore
- Opening hours
- Every day 9:00–19:00, last entry 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- Tuesdays, with special openings on some public holidays and in August
- Ticket
- €12 full price; €8 for ages 18 to 26; €6 for ages 10 to 17; free up to age 9
- Booking
- Required, with date and time slot. Online up to 60 days ahead; more tickets go on sale 2 days before
- Duration
- About 45 minutes
- Photography
- Not allowed, nor are videos or using your phone
- Metro
- Line 1 Università or Dante, Line 2 Cavour, then a 5–10 minute walk
- Audio guide
- €3.50 (€6 for two audio guides)
Works not to miss
The Veiled Christ
Sculpted by Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, it shows the dead Christ lying down, covered by a shroud so thin it looks like fabric. It was carved from a single block of marble: the "transparency" of the veil is purely the sculptor's skill, even though for centuries people told the story of a real veil turned into marble through alchemical processes. Look closely at the face, the veins on the forehead and the cushions: these are the places where you can best appreciate the technique.
Modesty and Disillusion
On either side of the altar are two statues dedicated to the prince's parents. Modesty (Pudicizia) by Antonio Corradini, dedicated to his mother who died very young, is a woman wrapped in a transparent veil. Disillusion (Disinganno) by Francesco Queirolo, dedicated to his father, shows a man freeing himself from a large net, also carved from a single block of marble: it is considered one of the most difficult displays of virtuosity in 18th-century sculpture.
The anatomical machines
In the underground chamber there are two skeletons, a man and a woman, with their system of blood vessels reconstructed in a striking way. They were made by the Palermo physician Giuseppe Salerno, commissioned by the prince. They may upset very young children.
Tip: in front of the Veiled Christ, move slowly around the case: the effect of the veil changes with the light and with your viewpoint. If you can, choose the first slot in the morning, when it is less crowded.
The story of the Prince of Sansevero
The chapel was founded at the end of the 16th century as the family chapel of the di Sangro family, but it owes its current appearance to Raimondo di Sangro, 7th Prince of Sansevero (1710–1771): inventor, man of letters, student of chemistry and anatomy, and a controversial figure in his day. From 1749 he turned the chapel into a temple of symbols, choosing the artists and the subjects himself. It is precisely his reputation as a man of mystery that has fuelled the legends about the Veiled Christ and the anatomical machines.
Planning your visit
- Book ahead. Booking is compulsory and tickets are for a set date and time slot; at weekends and on long holiday weekends they sell out quickly. If the day you want is sold out, try again two days before: the museum releases more tickets.
- Online tickets cannot be refunded or changed: choose your date and time carefully.
- Arrive a few minutes before your time slot.
- Combine the visit with Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, Spaccanapoli and San Gregorio Armeno: they are all a few minutes' walk away.
Special days (museum calendar 2026)
| When | Hours |
|---|---|
| 31 October – 2 November | 9:00–20:30 |
| Tuesday 3 November | open 9:00–19:00 |
| 5 – 8 December (Immaculate Conception holiday weekend) | 9:00–20:30 |
| 24 December | 9:00–14:00 |
| 25 December | closed |
| 26 – 27 December | 9:00–20:30 |
| Tuesday 29 December | open 9:00–19:00 |
| 31 December | 9:00–14:00 |
Getting there
- Metro: Line 1 Università or Dante stop, Line 2 Cavour stop, then a 5–10 minute walk.
- From the port (Molo Beverello): about 20 minutes on foot, heading up towards the old centre.
- By car: not recommended, the Historic Centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL).
What to see nearby
- Piazza San Domenico Maggiore2 minutes on foot
- Spaccanapoli3 minutes on foot
- Santa Chiara Monastery Complex8 minutes on foot
- Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea)10 minutes on foot
- The neighbourhood: Historic Centrethe area guide
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book the Sansevero Chapel?
Yes, booking is compulsory: you choose a date and time slot on the museum's official website. Tickets are released up to 60 days in advance and some are put on sale 2 days before the visit.
How much is the ticket?
€12 full price, €8 for ages 18 to 26, €6 for ages 10 to 17, free up to age 9. The audio guide costs €3.50.
Which day is it closed?
Tuesday. On some Tuesdays (for example in August, on 3 November and 29 December 2026) the museum opens as a special exception.
Can you take photos of the Veiled Christ?
No: photos, videos and phone use are not allowed inside.
How long does the visit take?
About 45 minutes, including the underground chamber with the anatomical machines.
Where to stay near the Sansevero Chapel
202 places to stay in the Historic Centre on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
