Cimitero delle Fontanelle

From quarry to ossuary

The caverns at Fontanelle were cut into tuff, the volcanic stone used in buildings across Naples. The space later became an ossuary as burial places in churches and crypts filled up. Remains were moved into the cave, which became a resting place for people who had no family tomb or whose burial site could not be maintained.

The site is associated with the plague of 1656 and the cholera epidemic of 1836. Flooding in the late 17th century brought remains from the cave out onto the streets, drawing attention to the burial place. Fontanelle continued to receive the remains of people from the city until the mid-19th century.

The anime pezzentelle tradition

Fontanelle is tied to a Neapolitan custom known as the anime pezzentelle, or poor souls. People adopted anonymous skulls, cared for them and prayed for the souls they represented. In return, they sought protection and a bond with the dead. The practice joined religious devotion with local folklore and ritual, giving the ossuary a role beyond that of a place to store bones.

Making sense of the visit

The site’s history and customs are easier to follow with context. Guided tours can explain the story of the ossuary and the local traditions connected to it. An official app is another option for detailed information, particularly if you do not speak Italian.

Fontanelle is in the Materdei district, within the wider Sanità area. Its setting in a former quarry and the visible remains make for a very different kind of historical visit from Naples’s churches and museums. Approach the space with respect for the people whose remains are here and for the community’s traditions.