The Church of Santa Luciella ai Librai is one of the many small historical religious sites in Naples. It’s hidden among the numerous narrow alleys of the city center, near the famous Via dei Presepi.
Its underground crypt was used as a burial site. Adherents to the Neapolitan Cult of the Dead often came here to pray. They often offered prayers especially to the “skull with ears,” hoping this anatomical curiosity would act as a messenger between the worlds of the living and dead. The skull lives up to its name—it has two pieces of mummified cartilage, one on either side, which resemble ears.The church was founded by Bartolomeo Di Capua in 1327 and became a place of worship for the Guild of Pipernieri, Frabbicatori and Tagliamonti that in Santa Lucia entrusted the protection of sight, put at risk by their profession. In the basement of the church is kept the famous Skull with Ears.
