Photos: Treasure of San Gennaro
The Treasure of San Gennaro, one of the most important and valuable collections of religious art, has travelled outside its native Naples for the first time, giving Rome a glimpse of the centuries-long devotion to the 3rd century martyr. The Rome Foundation Museum exhibit, which opened Wednesday and runs through Feb. 16, features the empty reliquary that holds the saint's purported blood. According to legend, the blood "miraculously" liquefies during certain religious ceremonies. Highlights also include the bejeweled San Gennaro necklace and a bishop's miter, made of gold-plated silver and adorned with 3,326 diamonds, 164 rubies and 198 emeralds. The necklace contains gems and jeweled crosses that were donated by Napoleon and members of European royalty over the centuries, a reflection of the immense popularity of the saint. — The Associated Press
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A 16th century blood reliquary is put on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Musuem, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The exhibition opens Oct. 30 and runs until Feb. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A visitor looks at a Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A 16th century blood reliquary is put on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Musuem, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The exhibition opens Oct. 30 and runs until Feb. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
The Necklace of St. Januarius, made in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato, is put on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Musuem, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. Over the centuries precious jewels donated to San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, by kings, aristocrats and devotees were added to the original part, the upper necklace. The last donation is a diamond ring by Princess consort Marie Jose of Belgium, in the 1930s. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
Visitors looks at a Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
Visitors look at the Necklace of St. Januarius, made in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato, on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The necklace is one of the most precious pieces on the exhibition. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
A visitor looks at a Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
Visitors looks at a Mitre created in 1713, part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", on display at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The two most valuable pieces exhibited are the Mitre and a necklace, begun in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
Visitors look at the Necklace of St. Januarius, made in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato, on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The necklace is one of the most precious pieces on the exhibition. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy San Gennaro Treasure Exhibition
Visitors look at the Necklace of St. Januarius, made in 1679 by goldsmith Michele Dato, on display as part of the exhibition "Naples' Treasure. Masterpieces from the Museum of Saint Januarius", at the Fondazione Roma Museum, in Rome's Palazzo Sciarra, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. The necklace is one of the most precious pieces on the exhibition. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)