Santa Chiara, also known as the Church of St. Clare of Assisi (Clara in Italian - Chiara), is a complex of religious buildings in Naples, including a monastery, a bell tower, and the tomb of the kings Angevin dynasty and archaeological museum. They say that couples in love who get married in this church will live together happily ever after and will not know poverty or betrayal. Therefore, the Church of Santa Chiara is very popular among young Neapolitan girls and boys who want to get married, as well as among tourists coming to the city.
The temple was built in 1310-1328 by order of King Robert I of Anjou. According to the plan, this was supposed to be the crypt of the monarchs of the Angevin dynasty. Initially it consisted of four monasteries, but in the end two remained - Franciscan monks and Clarissa nuns, who are closely connected with each other spiritually and organizationally.
The basilica was built in the Provençal Gothic style. Later, during the next reconstruction, it was replaced by the Baroque style. During the Second World War, in 1943, the monastery was heavily damaged by Allied air raids. During the post-war restoration, the monastery was rebuilt in the Gothic style.
Separately there is a bell tower, the construction of which began in 1328 and was completed only during the Renaissance.
This is what the church looks like inside:
Altar:
The following people are buried in the cathedral: King Robert the Wise, members of the Neapolitan royal house of Bourbon, including King Ferdinand I, Francis I, Ferdinand II, also Blessed Maria Christina of Savoy - first wife of Ferdinand II, Salvo d'Acquisto - national hero of Italy, Sancia Maorelli - queen of the Kingdom of Naples (1309-1343).
There is a small museum in the monastery.
During excavations carried out during the post-war restoration on the territory of the monastery, a Roman villa from the 1st century AD was found. It is presented in the archaeological zone of the museum. The museum has a lot of interesting things.
The monastery courtyard deserves special mention, but before that, let’s walk through the Cloister Gallery, made using the majolica technique. The plinth of the arches is covered with ceramic panels depicting romantic landscapes.
The walls are painted with frescoes.
The church has a beautiful courtyard (82x87m), designed by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. Here you will see octagonal columns and piles in the Rococo style, fountains, and two cruciform alleys. Everything is painted with flowers, mythological and everyday scenes.
Church address: Via Santa Chiara, 49c. It is located in the heart of the historical center, in Piazza Nuovo (Gesu Nuovo).
To get there, you can take the first metro line, stop Dante.
You can enter the church courtyard every day: Monday-Saturday - 09:00-17:30, Sunday - 10:00-14:30; In church - Monday-Saturday - 08:00-12:45/16:30-20:00, Sunday - 09:00-12:45/16:30-20:00.
Ticket price 6 euros, for students under 30 years old and over 65 years old - 4.50 euros, children under 6 years old free.
For more information, visit the website: https://www.monasterodisantachiara.it/english/.
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