This small octagonal church was built for an institution founded in 1601 by local aristocrats. Their charitable acts are illustrated in Caravaggio’s famous altarpiece, Seven Acts of Mercy, a superb example of the artist’s chiaroscuro style in which light and shadow are juxtaposed to dramatic effect. The adjoining art gallery houses a delightful private collection of paintings and furniture, including works by Luca Giordano, Giuseppe Ribera and Massimo Stazione.
