Early Christian Basilicas Complex of Cimitile

The complex of the early Christian Basilicas of Cimitile consists of various religious buildings located in Cimitile, in the province of Naples, and dedicated to Saints Felice, Stefano, Tommaso, Calionio, Giovanni, the Martyrs and the Madonna degli Angeli.

The oldest buildings date back to the 4th century, but the period of maximum splendor goes from the end of the 4th century to the beginning of the 5th, when the noble Pontius Anicio Meropio Paolino retired as a monk, before becoming Bishop of Nola around 409.

Damaged by a disastrous flood in the first half of the 6th century, it soon recovered and became a famous sanctuary.

The basilica of San Felice, governed by a provost, remained dependent on the Cathedral Chapter of Nola from 1599 and only in 1675 did it regain its autonomy.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century the eastern part of the basilica of San Felice was destroyed to build the new parish church.

In the 19th century the sanctuary experienced a long period of abandonment; between 1933 and 1960, by the architect Gino Chierici, it was subjected to important excavation and restoration works, resumed and continued after 1988 up to the present.

Map: Early Christian Basilicas Complex of Cimitile