The name "San Lorenzo" may also refer to the new museum now opened on the premises, as well as to the ancient Roman market beneath the church itself, the Macellum of Naples.

The church's origins derive from the presence of the Franciscan order in Naples during the lifetime of St Francis of Assisi, himself.

San Lorenzo is both a church and monastery and the new museum takes up the three floors above the courtyard and is given over to the entire history of the area that centers on San Lorenzo, beginning with classical archaeology and progressing to a chart display of historical shipping routes from Naples throughout Magna Grecia and the Roman Empire.

The museum provides a detailed account of the local "city hall" that was demolished in order to put up the church in the 13th century and continues up past the Angevin period and into more recent history.

To the right is the praying and kneeling figure of Vittoria De Caro, sister of Giuseppe and Francesco, and mother of the commissioner, Giovan Camillo.

The altarpiece is painted by Massimo Stanzione and depicts the Our Lady of the Rosary, a subject that became popular after the Council of Trent of 1563.