Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara — Attraction in Naples

Santa Chiara is a religious complex in Naples, Italy, that includes the Church of Santa Chiara, a monastery, tombs and an archeological museum. The Basilica church of Santa Chiara faces Via Benedetto Croce, which is the easternmost leg of Via Spaccanapoli. The church facade of Santa Chiara is diagonally across from the church of Gesù Nuovo. The double monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples, who is also buried in the complex.[1] The original church was in traditional Provençal-Gothic style, but was decorated in the 17th century in Baroque style by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. After the edifice was partially destroyed by a fire after the Allied bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953.

The large rectangular building is 110.5 m long inside the walls, and 33 m wide. The walls of the nave are 47.5 m tall, and the nave itself is 82 m long. There are nine lateral chapels on each side of the nave, the roofs of the chapels are vaulted, and they support the gallery that runs the length of the nave. Above the gallery are the lancet windows of the clerestory. An unusual feature of the building is that the lateral chapels are absorbed into the body of the church, giving Santa Chiara its distinctive rectangular appearance. Another unusual feature of the building is the fact that the church does not have an apse, after the lateral chapels there is a section of the church with the high altar in the centre, flanked by the rectangular friar's choirs on either side. Behind the altar is the tomb of King Robert, behind that is a wall separating the main body of the church from the nuns' choir.[1]

The wall between the nave of the church and the retrochoir is penetrated by three screened grilles through which the nuns could observe the mass, while being invisible to anybody in the nave. There are also four windows in the wall which mirror the four windows on the exterior of the church. There is a large stained glass lancet window above the altar. Above this is a triangular pattern are three rose windows. At the apex of the point of the roof, above the level of the wooden beams of the ceiling is a fourth, smaller, rose window. The nuns choir is different in plan from the main body of the church, with two large piers supported by rib vaults dividing the space into three sections. Santa Chiara was the largest Clarissan church ever built and it was the first Clarissan church built where the nuns in their choir would have been able to view the performance of Mass.

The bell tower, separated from the main edifice, was begun in 1328 but was completed only in...

The Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara is one of the most remarkable historical and artistic sites in Naples, Italy. Located in the historic center of the city, this complex includes a church, a monastery, an archaeological site, and the stunning cloisters, making it a centerpiece of Naples’ cultural and religious heritage.

History • Foundation: The complex was founded in 1310 by King Robert of Anjou and Queen Sancha of Majorca as a spiritual retreat for the Franciscan order. The queen played a significant role in its creation, reflecting her piety and devotion. • Medieval Origins: Originally built in Gothic style, the complex included two convents: one for Franciscan friars and the other for Poor Clares (nuns). • Baroque Renovation: In the 17th century, the church was heavily remodeled in Baroque style, adding elaborate decorations and frescos. • World War II Damage: During the bombing of Naples in 1943, the church was nearly destroyed. Post-war restoration returned the structure to its original Gothic simplicity, stripping away much of the Baroque embellishment.

Key Features Church of Santa Chiara: • The main church has a simple yet majestic Gothic interior. It contains several tombs of notable figures, including King Robert of Anjou and Queen Sancha, as well as members of the Durazzo and Aragon dynasties. • The high altar and side chapels feature works by famous artists and sculptors. Cloister of the Clarisses: • Perhaps the most famous part of the complex, the cloister is decorated with majolica tiles (18th century) depicting floral and pastoral scenes. The vibrant colors create a serene, otherworldly atmosphere. • The columns and benches are adorned with these intricate tiles, while frescoed walls depict scenes from the Old Testament and daily life. Archaeological Area: • Beneath the complex lies an archaeological site showcasing remnants of ancient Roman baths, which were discovered during the restoration process. Visitors can explore these fascinating ruins as part of their visit. Museum of the Monastery: • The museum houses artifacts related to the history of the complex, including religious items, relics, and documentation about the life of the Poor Clares. It also includes sculptures, paintings, and historical records.

Significance • The Santa Chiara Complex is a symbol of the spiritual and cultural fusion that characterized medieval Naples, blending Gothic architecture with later artistic styles. • Its majolica-tiled cloister is considered one of the most beautiful and unique examples of decorative art in Italy. • The archaeological area highlights Naples’ deep historical layers, from ancient Rome to medieval...

The construction of the monumental complex of S.Claire began in 1310, by the will of King Robert of Anjou and his wife Sancha of Majorca. The Franciscan citadel was set up by erecting two convents: one for the Clarisses, and the other for Franciscan Friars Minor. The church is now in its original Gothic style, with a simple facade in which the ancient pierced rose window is nestled. In 1742 the church underwent changes by the hand of the architect D.A. Vaccaro. Pompous coatings gave the complex a baroque aspect. On August 4th of 1943 the church was almost completely destroyed by aerial bombardment. It was rebuilt and restored according to the original Gothic style. Ten years later the church was reopened for worshipers. Over the centuries, the cloister has undergone various transformations. The most important was performed by D.A. Vaccaro between 1739 and 1742. Vaccaro built two avenues which, intersecting, divide the area into four areas. Octagonal pillars line the perimeter, coated with majolica ceramic floral decorations.

The pillars are connected by benches covered of tiles with popular, rural, maritime and mythological scenes. The four walls of the cloister were covered with seventeenth century frescoes depicting Saints, allegories and scenes of the Old Testament. Inside the complex you can see a nativity scene featuring shepherds of the eighteenth and the nineteenth century, the Museum in which it is possible to admire a cross-section of the Neapolitan history from antiquity to the twentieth century, some of the treasures the bombings of 1943 failed to destroy and an archeological area with remains of...