The miter of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples, the most precious object of the treasure

San Gennaro is the patron saint of Naples and is known throughout the world for his treasure which is found in the Museo del Tesoro of San Gennaro. One of the most precious objects and unique in the collection is the Miter of San Gennaro, a tiara studded with precious stones, made in 1713.

The Neapolitan goldsmith Matteo Treglia he used 3964 diamonds, rubies and emeralds to create this masterpiece, which symbolizes the knowledge, faith and blood of San Gennaro. Each type of stone has a symbolic meaning. The emeralds represent knowledge, i diamonds they symbolize faith and the rubies represent the blood of Saint Gennaro.

The treasure of San Gennaro has been the subject of numerous stories and traditions over the centuries, including Dino Risi's film Operation San Gennaro, in which a gang of thieves try to steal it.

The San Gennaro museum houses the precious treasure

Il Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro, opened in 2003, houses most of the pieces that make up the treasure, including jewels, statues, fabrics and silver donated by illustrious men and women.

This treasure also represented a fundamental turning point inNeapolitan crafts. After the arrival in Naples of the bust of the saint created by the Provençal goldsmiths in the 14th century, the local goldsmiths were very reevaluated and they organized themselves into a corporation still active in the neighborhood of Borgo Orefici.

Despite its enormous historical and artistic value, the Treasury of the saint has long been subject to threats and theft attempts. During World War II, it was hidden in a bunker to protect it from bombings. Then in 1997, it came stolen by two armed thieves, who managed to steal several precious pieces before being captured.

Despite these threats, the Treasury remains one of the symbols most important and recognized in the city of Naples and its history. Today it has become one tourist destination popular, with thousands of visitors flocking to admire it every year extraordinary beauty and cultural importance.