Museo dell'Opera di San Lorenzo Maggiore

About the museum

The Museo dell’Opera di San Lorenzo Maggiore is set up in the 16th-century rooms of the convent and in the civic tower flanking the basilica, in the heart of Naples’ historic centre. It is part of the San Lorenzo Maggiore monumental complex, a site where the layers of the city can be read from the 5th century BC to the late 18th century.

The museum route follows a chronological sequence across the different levels of the building: from the Greek and Roman finds of the excavations of ancient Neapolis, through late antiquity, the early Christian and Byzantine periods and the early Middle Ages under the Swabians and Normans, to the Angevin and Aragonese periods. The works are placed in their original contexts, with the spaces, light and perspectives for which they were created reconstructed as far as possible.

The last part of the museum houses the 18th- and 19th-century Nativity figures from the convent’s prestigious collection. The same ticket also admits visitors to the underground excavations, with the Roman road, the workshops, the crypto-portico and the macellum (market building), the chapter house, the Sala di Sisto V and the basilica.

Highlights

• Chronological route from the Greek period to the 18th century, on several levels
• 18th- and 19th-century Nativity figures from the convent’s collection
• Excavations of Neapolis with Roman road, workshops and macellum
• Chapter house and Sala di Sisto V, frescoed by Luigi Rodriguez
• Gothic basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

Permanent exhibition

• Museo dell'Opera: dai reperti greci ai pastori del Settecento – Chronological route on four levels, from the finds of ancient Neapolis to the Angevin and Aragonese periods, and the collection of 18th- and 19th-century Nativity figures.

Operated by

Complesso monumentale di San Lorenzo Maggiore

Admission & discounts

The ticket covers the monumental complex (excavations, museum, basilica and rooms). A 20% discount on the full ticket applies for some partners. Reductions require a valid document; prices may change during exhibitions and events. Tickets are bought at the ticket offices at the entrance or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The whole complex, except the archaeological areas, is easily accessible to wheelchair users, people with mobility difficulties and parents with pushchairs.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing table in every toilet of the complex; pushchairs admitted except in the archaeological areas.

Getting there & parking

The complex is in Piazza San Gaetano, in the historic centre, along Via dei Tribunali.

Amenities & dining

Vending machines for snacks and drinks inside the complex.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The complex hosts events; enquiries to eventisanlorenzo@libero.it.

Plan your visit