11/11/2017

8th Cistern

Sisters of Santa Patrizia

This order is devoted to the patron saint of Naples who, like San Gennaro, performs the miracle of liquefaction of her own blood not two times per year, but once a week.

We are now beneath Via San Gregorio Armeno, specifically below the cloisters of the same name.

This last cistern, as you can see, was transformed into a cellar when the aqueduct was closed. It served as the private larder for the Sisters of Santa Patrizia up until 1952.

The nuns accessed this cellar directly through this staircase, thereby avoiding all contact with the public in keeping with their vows. It here that they also aged the wine called “TUFELLO.”