It is located across the street from the tall modern NH Ambassador Hotel and diagonal from the Palazzo Giordano and Questura.

The name of San Giuseppe Maggiore derives from a church of that name belonging to Arciconfraternity of the Mannesi (i falegnami), that was demolished nearby in the 16th century.

The original nave was frescoed by Battistello Caracciolo, Andrea Vaccaro, and Massimo Stanzione.

The polychrome marble altar was designed by Giovan Battista Nauclerio and completed by Giuseppe de Filippo.

On the counterfacade is a marble tomb (1703) of the Prince Piombini, by Giacomo Colombo, using designs by Francesco Solimena.