Piazza del Gesù Nuovo

The basics

Piazza del Gesù Nuovo is home to two of Naples’ most important churches and serves as the starting point of beloved Spaccanapoli. Many walking tours of the historic center begin here, and no visit to Naples is complete without a turn through its churches and a gander at its towering Guglia dell'Immacolata, an intricately carved 17th-century devotional spire.

Join a guided walking or Segway tour to learn about the history and art in and around Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, along with highlights of the historic center like Spaccanapoli and Via San Gregorio Armeno. Foodies can opt for tours that combine sightseeing with tastings of pizza, pastries, and other local street food. A number of tours pair visits to the historic center with treks to Pompeii, located about a half hour’s drive outside the city.

Things to know before you go

• If you are visiting the square as part of a walking tour, keep in mind that you will be spending quite a bit of time on your feet. Choose comfortable footwear, and wear sunscreen and a hat in the summer.
• Gesù Nuovo and Santa Chiara churches require modest attire that covers knees and shoulders.
• The square and churches are wheelchair accessible, though much of the historic center is paved with cobblestones that may be uncomfortable to navigate on wheels.
• There are a number of cafès and restaurants lining the square, where it's easy to find both snacks and sit-down meals.

How to get there

Piazza del Gesù Nuovo is on the western edge of the historic center of Naples. From the central train station, take metro line A to the Dante stop.

When to get there

Naples can be unpleasantly hot during summer; visit during the spring or fall or schedule a morning tour before the temperatures soar.

The piazza’s churches: ornate and modest

Visitors to Piazza del Gesù Nuovo can easily see the two extremes of Neapolitan architecture. The 15th-century Church of Gesù Nuovo has an intimidating, symmetrical stone facade that belies its baroque interior, with gilt chapels, colorful marble, and dramatic artwork. The Church of Santa Chiara was built in the 14th century, and is striking for its plain Gothic architecture and lack of decoration. Part of a monastery complex, the church is famous for its beautiful cloister reworked in Neapolitan majolica during an 18th-century renovation.