Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco di Paola

The western border of the main square of Naples, Piazza del Plebiscito, is covered by a semicircular colonnade, in the center of which stands a giant dome, evoking associations with the Roman Pantheon. However, it is not surprising that the appearance of this monumental structure involved the French, or rather Marshal Joachim Murat, who after the occupation of Italy by Napoleon in 1808 received the title of King of Naples. Having engaged in the architectural reconstruction of his capital, Murat initiated the expansion of the square in front of the royal palace (Largo di Palazo), where he planned to erect an arcade and a hall for public events, which he named after himself "Forum Gioacchino" (Foro Gioacchino). Work began in 1809, but the marshal never saw their completion, as in 1815 he was expelled by the rebellious people. The King of the two Sicilies, Ferdinand I of Bourbon, who returned to the throne, decided to complete the building in the form of a church in the name of his patron saint Francis of Paola (Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco di Paola).

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