DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0365
Ch. X.
THROUGH ITALY.
335
and in this respect the Neapolitans seem to have
adopted the maxim of the ancient Germans,
ii sanctius ac reverentius de Diis credere quam
scire*.” The blood of St. Stephen in the church
of St. Gaudioso belonging to the Benedictine
Nuns, is said to liquefy in the same manner; but
only once a-year on the festival of the martyr.f
The Santi Apostoli is in its origin perhaps the
most ancient church in Naples, and was, if we
may credit tradition, erected by Constantine
upon the ruins of a temple of Mercury; it has
however been rebuilt partially more than once,
and finally with great magnificence. The church
of St. Paul occupies the site of a temple of Castor
and Pollux; the front of this temple, consisting
of eight Corinthian pillars, was destroyed by the
earthquake of 1688. Two only were restored,
and now form part of the frontispiece of the
church. The interior is spacious, well pro-
portioned, and finely incrusted with marble. The
chancel is very extensive, and all supported by
antique pillars; it is supposed to stand over the
* Tac. Germania, xxx. iv.
f The Author has been accused of a want of candor, in not
having expressed in a more explicit manner, his opinion of
the miracle alluded to ; few readers, he conceives, will be at
THROUGH ITALY.
335
and in this respect the Neapolitans seem to have
adopted the maxim of the ancient Germans,
ii sanctius ac reverentius de Diis credere quam
scire*.” The blood of St. Stephen in the church
of St. Gaudioso belonging to the Benedictine
Nuns, is said to liquefy in the same manner; but
only once a-year on the festival of the martyr.f
The Santi Apostoli is in its origin perhaps the
most ancient church in Naples, and was, if we
may credit tradition, erected by Constantine
upon the ruins of a temple of Mercury; it has
however been rebuilt partially more than once,
and finally with great magnificence. The church
of St. Paul occupies the site of a temple of Castor
and Pollux; the front of this temple, consisting
of eight Corinthian pillars, was destroyed by the
earthquake of 1688. Two only were restored,
and now form part of the frontispiece of the
church. The interior is spacious, well pro-
portioned, and finely incrusted with marble. The
chancel is very extensive, and all supported by
antique pillars; it is supposed to stand over the
* Tac. Germania, xxx. iv.
f The Author has been accused of a want of candor, in not
having expressed in a more explicit manner, his opinion of
the miracle alluded to ; few readers, he conceives, will be at