The miracle of San Giovanni (San Gennaro), patron saint of Naples

Probably born in Benevento in 272, he was bishop of the city and became a saint after his death, thanks to several miracles attributed to him, the first of which was stopping the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631. During his episcopate, at the height of Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, he was accused of interceding for the release of prisoners who were to be executed and fed to ferocious beasts. Thanks to a miracle attributed to him, the beasts retreated into their cages and the massacre was averted.

Unfortunately, Gennaro, still a bishop, fell victim to the Great Persecution and was beheaded in 305. His remains and blood were preserved in ampullae. To this day, his relics and the famous treasure of San Gennaro are preserved in Naples Cathedral. They are part of the city's history and traditions.

This is just one of the stories told about this saint, but what is certain is that every year, Neapolitans look forward to the melting of the saint's blood as a good omen and, consequently, as a reason for celebration and happiness.

For, despite the obvious doubts about the veracity of the story, whether you believe in it or not, the miracle of San Gennaro unites all Neapolitans every year.

Today, San Gennaro, called Faccia Gialla (Yellow Face) by the Neapolitans, is an integral part of Neapolitan life, almost as if he were a confidant whom you ask for a favour and rage against if it doesn't arrive. A sort of love-hate relationship, like in the most classic love stories.

Why is he called "Yellow Face"?

Neapolitans call San Gennaro "Faccia Gialla" (yellow face) because the face of his statue, carried in procession on 19 September, is entirely gilded.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Naples (Santa Maria Assunta, in Italian), known to all as the Duomo of Naples, is not just a church, but a place that houses priceless works of art as well as the famous Treasure of San Gennaro, which includes masterpieces of great value such as paintings, gold objects, jewels, precious textiles and all the gifts of great historical figures, including kings and queens, as well as fervent Neapolitans.

The treasure of San Gennaro has been classified as the most valuable treasure in the world, so much so that its value cannot yet be expressed in monetary terms.

The neo-Gothic façade of the cathedral has been rebuilt several times (most recently during the Second World War) and features marble works dominating the three naves and a rose window in the central nave, while the interior, with its Latin cross plan, features marble columns and arches.

Almost 100 metres long, covered by a gilded ceiling that frames the five religious representations, the interior of the cathedral is a succession of incredible works of art depicting saints and religious scenes by Luca Giordano. All around, pillars support the marble busts, dating from the 1600s, of the first 16 bishops of Naples and the tombs of the city's kings and viceroys, while beneath the arches enriched with Baroque inserts are the two organs, one of which has more than 5,000 pipes.

A magnificence that leaves you breathless with the finesse of its sculptures, the beauty of its paintings and the richness of its gold.

Although there are three dates when the miracle of San Gennaro's blood is celebrated (the first Saturday in May and 16 December), 19 September (the day of his death) is the official day when celebrations take over the streets of Naples.

In Naples, it's a public holiday, the offices are closed, the children are out of school and all the Neapolitans are fervently waiting for the miracle to happen. Naples Cathedral is packed, but it's not just the faithful or the believers. Everyone, even out of curiosity or proximity to their own city, is watching through the gilded walls of the cathedral or outside, and social networks and television are filming the crowd waiting for the miracle live.

The celebrations last two days. The day before, a long procession, in which the statue of the saint is carried on the shoulders, makes its way through the streets of the historic centre of Naples, followed by crowds of the faithful and the unfaithful, who accompany San Gennaro to the cathedral to await mass on 19 September.

When the prodigy occurs and the ampulla is turned to show the faithful the true dissolution of the blood, a long, liberating applause resounds inside the cathedral and reverberates through the streets of the city.

Folklore aside, it's an intense moment that moves everyone and holds the promise of hope for all the city's inhabitants.