The Obelisk of the Immaculate Conception is located in the center of Piazza del Gesù Nuovo in Naples and is one of the most characteristic Baroque monuments in the city. It is a votive obelisk, built in honor of the Immaculate Conception.
Here are some key information:
Construction: The obelisk was commissioned in 1747 by the Jesuits and completed in 1750. The project was entrusted to Giuseppe Genoino, while the sculpture of the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, which stands at the top, is the work of Francesco Pagano and Matteo Bottiglieri.
Architecture: The column is developed on three levels decorated with reliefs of angels, sacred symbols, and floral motifs. At the top is the bronze statue of the Virgin Mary.
Religious significance: The obelisk was erected as an act of devotion to the Immaculate Conception, a deeply felt dogma in Naples, and is still a central point of the celebrations on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Piazza del Gesù Nuovo: It is one of the main squares in the historic center of Naples, located near the famous Church of Gesù Nuovo, characterized by its rusticated facade, and the Basilica of Santa Chiara.
The obelisk represents a reference point for the faith and Neapolitan Baroque art, with a strong connection to the city's religious tradition.
