Pio Monte della Misericordia, Naples

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Set up in 1602 by Neapolitan nobles, Pio Monte della Misericordia (Pious Mount of Mercy) is a charitable brotherhood. Its original small chapel, located near il Duomo in central Naples, was enlarged in 1678 into the existing grand church, designed by the architect Francesco Antonio Picchiatti. The Baroque church has an octagonal plan and is accessed through the portico of a dominant palazzo belonging to the same brotherhood. The interior of the church, although relatively plain, contains very important works of art, the most important of which is le Sette opere di Misericordia (the Seven Acts of Mercy), by Caravaggio, painted when the artist took refuge in Naples. Note that photography within the church is forbidden, so I only have photos of the exterior palazzo.

Just to the east of Via Duomo, this octagonal church, with a very grubby exterior, houses the extraordinary Caravaggio altarpeice, the "Seven Acts of Mercy". This may well be Naples' single most important work of art; however, Caravaggio's "Flagellation of Christ" in the Capodimonte Museum, to my mind, completely outshines it. Still, worth a visit. Free.
Monday - Saturday 09.30 - 12.30. Strictly no photographs.
Can be visited before the Capello Sansevero, as it is in the vicinity.