Carlo Celano (22 February 1625 – 3 December 1693) was an Italian lawyer and man of letters, who led the restoration of the church of Santa Restituta in his birthplace of Naples[1] and left an accurate census of the city's monuments, updated up to the end of the 17th century.

[2] Born to Antonia Picaccia and her doctor husband Salvatore,[3] he inherited a taste for architecture, history and art from his father, expanding it by long journeys through Naples and excursions to its catacombs.

He was forced to give up his legal job due to an incident in court and suspicions that he had taken part in the Masaniello revolt - the latter led him to be imprisoned in Naples' gaol, the Vicaria, until an influential friend secured his release.

At the same time as the restoration work he published his most important work, Le Notizie del bello, dell'antico e del curioso della città di Napoli (Notices on what is beautiful, ancient and curious in the city of Naples),[8] dedicated to Pope Innocent XII.

[9] It was a true guidebook,[10] based on immense research and minutely describing culture, art and architecture in the city,[9] with especial attention to non-religious buildings.