Monumental complex of Santa Maria della Pace

In Via Tribunali 226 Naples - The monumental complex of Santa Maria della Pace is located along Via Tribunali and was built in 1587 where there was the 15th century palace of Ser Gianni Caracciolo, great Siniscalco of the Kingdom and lover of Queen Giovanna II. The Complex includes the Hospital of the Friars Hospitallers of St. John of God (called Fatebenefratelli) and the annexed Church and is currently the seat of the Municipality of San Lorenzo-Vicaria. The large monumental complex develops around two cloisters which are on different heights due to the slope of the area. The famous Sala del Lazzaretto, accessed by a staircase whose entrance is on the left of the vestibule, measures 60 meters long by 10 meters wide and is 12 meters high. In the terminal part behind a valuable marble altar of the XVIII century, there was the room that was once used as a medical cabinet. It is called the Lazzaretto because the lepers and, if necessary, the plague victims were welcomed in this room and, in fact, along the walls of the hall there is a balcony at half height through which the orderlies lowered medicines and food to the sick to avoid contagion. Assistance on the ground floor was provided by doctors and nurses who protected themselves from disease by wearing a mask with a long hooked nose, which contained herbs and substances that were thought to filter the infected air. The upper part of the hall, between the windows and under the vault, is frescoed with valuable works by Giacinto Diano and Andrea Viola depicting the Virgin Mary and the Saints of the Order of St. John of God.