Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara

"While many of Naples's churches are Gothic, most were re-designed in the 1600s and now appear Baroque. Because a bomb fell on Santa Chiara during World War II, the church was rebuilt from rubble, and its vaulted ceilings were revealed. What also came to light were the ruins of a Roman bath complex underneath the church. The enormous cloister was built for the nuns in the mid-18th century. A cloister is an enclosed outdoor space in the center of a monastery or convent where the monks or nuns can enjoy nature within the protective confines of their residence. Cloisters are often decorated with sculptures in the capitals, but the Santa Chiara cloister is particularly ornate and beautiful. Elaborate scenes of rural life, such as hunting and dancing the tammuriata (an ancient dance ritual similar to the tarantella), are shown, even though the nuns lived in solitude, following the rule of the Order of the Poor Clares. In the 1920s, the friars in the neighboring monastery swapped spaces with the nuns and made it accessible to the general public. At the exit is a lovely gift shop with baked goods, an homage to when convents were places to purchase pastries, especially on feast days. (This is also a good opportunity to take a bathroom break if you need one.) Please also be sure to visit the small exhibition area where some of the Roman ruins have been excavated and put on view. "

"✏️ Compleso Monumentale di Santa Chiara includes two monasteries, one for the Franciscans (French friars) and one for the nuns (Clarisses), a beautiful cloister with 66 pointed arches and as many pillars covered with majolica depicting plant scenes. The complex was built at the command of King Robert of Anjou and his wife, Sancha of Majorca, starting with the year 1310. 🕘Opening hours: Cloister: Monday-Saturday: 9:30 – 17:30 Sunday: 10:00 – 14:30 Last entrance with 30 minutes before the closing time Basilica: Monday-Saturday: 8:00 – 12:45 / 16:30 – 20:00 Sunday: 9:00 – 12:45 / 16:30 – 20:00 From 1st of August the basilica will reopen at 17:00 💲Price Cloister: Standard price 6€ Reduced price 4.50€ (teachers, students under 30, people over 65) Special price 3.50€ (primary and secondary school groups)​ Basilica: Free entrance "

"The Gothic church of Santa Chiara in Naples was built in the thirteenth century and has a façade decorated with majolica mosaics. The church of Santa Chiara was dedicated to the homonymous saint, co-founder of the order of the Poor Clares together with St. Francis of Assisi. Inside the church you can admire important works of art, including the tomb of Robert of Anjou and the cloister decorated with frescoes of the eighteenth century. During the Second World War the church suffered serious damage due to bombing, but was later rebuilt. The church also houses the Museo dell'Opera di Santa Chiara, where works of art and artifacts from the Santa Chiara complex are exhibited. "