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Solfatara
Solfatara
One of the major cores of Pozzuoli, the Volcano, is very famous because of its stirs, such as the gas emissions and boiling sludge. The vegetation does not grow in the area. At the time, this observation caught the Romans’attention. They called the site “God Volcano’s Piazza” (Forum Volcani), associating the location with Volcano, the god of blacksmiths and fire. Saint Gennaro, Napoli’s patron, and other ministers were martyred in the Volcano in 304. Today one can visit the Solfatara from the outside.
The Crater Park is closed to the public. However, the climb along the road runs alongside the cavity (via Coste d’Agnano) and leads to a wonderful, evocative viewpoint of the Solfatara crater.
Santuario di S. Gennaro
This church acknowledges the martyrdom of S. Gennaro and six other saints (including S. Procolo, patron saint of Pozzuoli) during the year 304 in the Solfatara volcano. The church preserves miscellaneous works of art, like a marble bust depicting S. Gennaro from the medieval age and the Pietra di San Gennaro. This marble decoration dates back to the 6th century AD. According to the traditional narrative, the Saint was beheaded. It is a widespread belief that the stone spreads blood on the occasion of San Gennaro’s celebration.
The Sanctuary is a church regularly open for religious functions; however, it is advisable not to visit it during the celebrations. It is usually open in the morning on holidays, on weekdays from 17.00 for the 18.00 celebrations.
