The relationship between the people of Naples and esotericism has always been very strong. If in other cities the cult of death creates fear and anguish, in the Campania capital, on the other hand, it is an inestimable source of hope and, in some ways, trust. This special bond is not an abstract concept; indeed, it is strongly concrete, evident, clearly visible in everyday life. And this is also due to the many traditions that accompany the city and its people: an example is the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro, eagerly and eagerly awaited every year.
An event famous practically all over the world but that the Neapolitans live with an incredible involvement. But this is only one of the many rites that clearly testify to this respect for the world of the dead. There are also many places that, over the years, have become essential stops of a real esoteric tour. Which attracts tourists from all over the world and which makes the Neapolitan experience unique because it mixes tradition with magic, the spirit with mystery, the sacred with the profane. Palaces, churches and squares: here are the places to visit to experience this exciting adventure.
The cult of pezzentelle
Let's start from Chapel of Sansevero, inevitably linked to Prince Raimondo di Sangro: character of great esoteric abilities, the most curious episode is that of death: he had himself cut into pieces to have the possibility of recomposing himself, but due to the early intervention of his family he was unable to complete the feat. We pass to the Palazzo degli Spiriti, built in the XNUMXst century and located in Marechiaro, owes its name to the legends about the ghosts that inhabit it. The third stop of this very famous tour is the Cemetery of the Fontanelle: it is in Forcella and is linked to the pezzentelle cult. Inside there are 40000 remains of people who died during the plague (1656) and cholera (1836). The Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio in Arco is where Lucia's skull is found, a pezzentella: believers turn to her to obtain a grace in love.
San Gennaro and the liquefaction of the blood
Here is the Blood of San Gennaro, the patron saint of the city. The relics and even his presumed blood are kept in the Cathedral. The ampoules are shown to the public three times a year: in those days the famous miracle of liquefaction should happen. If this happens, the city will be protected, according to the myth. In Piazza del Gesù there is the Obelisk of the Immaculate Conception, made by the Jesuits. From here we then move on to Underground Naples, a long series of narrow corridors dug by the Greeks to extract the tuff, used as a refuge during the Second World War.
Il Cloister of Santa Chiara is another important stage: the ghost of Queen Giovanna, according to tradition, still wanders around the cloister. Another ghost wanders for instead Piazza San Domenico Maggiore: it is that of Maria d'Avalos, killed by her husband, Prince Carlo Gesualdo, for treason: those who live in those areas say they still hear the woman's screams of pain from time to time. The esoteric tour of Napoli it closes with the Church of Pietrasanta: it was built to oppose the rites of the goddess Diana, a cult followed by women who were considered witches. Thus was born the legend of the Devil dressed as a pig who wandered the streets to scare people.
