Basilica reale pontificia di San Francesco di Paola

Basilica Naples, Italy

The royal papal basilica of San Francesco di Paola is a minor basilica located in Piazza del Plebiscito, in the historic center; it is considered one of the most important examples of neoclassical architecture in Italy. The architect Pietro Bianchi began the construction of this structure; the first stone was laid on 17 June 1816, the facade was completed in 1824, the internal decorations in 1836, while the statues were placed in 1839: ultimately the church was completed in 1846, fully reflecting what was the neoclassical taste and inspired in forms at the Pantheon in Rome.

The Bourbon ruler Ferdinand I, who was alternately known as Ferdinand IV, Ferdinand III of Sicily and Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies had a long and tumultuous reign of Naples. In fact, he ruled on again and off again from 1759 to 1825. For his final act, he ruled as the King of the Two Sicilies from 1816 – 1825. It was this final return to the throne for which Ferdinand I erected his larger than life ex vote, the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, dedicated to the saint of the same name.