Church of San Francesco Di Paola
Chiesa di San Francesco di
Paola
S Francesco di Paola with Colonnade
This is a fantastic church. It is a copy of the Pantheon Temple in Rome, once a pagan temple to all gods and now a Catholic Church. The Pantheon is also the basis of the US Capitol Building. In fact, the oculus and sanctuary within S Fran. di Paola are very reminiscent of both the Pantheon and the the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. It's sort of a "same room, different furnishings" effect.
Detail of an Arch in the Colonnade
San Francesco di Paola as seen from Palazzo
Reale
Portico, Piazza and Equestrian Statues
Portico
Portico with Dome
The interior is austere and relatively colorless. It was the King's personal church and it looks like it: The interior, though severe, is grand, classical and almost Imperial. It looks also quite a bit like a Roman temple on both the inside and outside, more than it does a Roman Catholic church.
Oculus of the Dome
St. John Chrystosom
Stoa
Main Altar
In front of S.F. di Paola
Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Church of
San Francesco di Paola in 1816
© 1995 and following by Casa di Dino