Post by NeandertalMan on Apr 12, 2007 10:27:15 GMT -5
Finally, after years of waiting, "Il cimitero delle Fontanelle" (The Fontanelle cemetery) by The Dean of Naples urban speleology, Engineer Clemente Esposito, has gone to press, and its publication is hailed as urban speleology's literary event of the year.
Esposito's prolific pen is a tour di force chronicling the fascinating history of Naples' beloved, if somewhat macabre Fontanelle Cemetery. His deep personal knowledge and understanding of this bizarre cult cemetery and its history is presented in fascinating detail. Over some 50 years, Esposito developed a rare and unique relationship with many of the faithful who had adopted various skulls and bones of unknown victims of plagues and other extreme events. The devout adopted these lost souls and with and offered their frequent prayers and care of their remains year after year.
The 96 page volume, beautifully illustrated with one hundred color photos, is published by Oxiana. Esposito ties together the historic connection of the location of the Cemetery near the large tuff quarries in the area and the importance of other ancient caverns beneath the entire Sanità quarter of the city. Esposito takes us on
an amazing jaunt through history up to recent times and includes his wonderful personal anecdotes from locals in the Sanita' area regarding their adoption of individual skulls. He also presents a comparison of the Fontanelle Cemetery with other ossuaries located in Italy.
The preface to the book is written by Eleonora Puntillo, a respected Neapolitan journalist, whose books and articles have distinguished her because of her passion for, and knowledge of, the problems of the Neapolitan "sottosuolo" or underground.
Esposito's work also includes a well researched bibliography dealing with the cults of the dead and related topics. The book will be available next month, and will be introduced with a formal presentation in conjunction with with the opening of the newly restored Fontanelle Cemetery as part of Naples' popular citywide celebration "Monuments in May, 2007".
by Napoli Underground
