Santa Chiara, Naples

Santa Chiara is one of the largest and most important churches in Naples. Founded in 1310 by Robert the Wise, the basilica is part of a large Franciscan complex that also includes beautiful cloisters and a museum.

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History of Santa Chiara

Santa Chiara was founded in 1310 by Robert the Wise (a.k.a. Robert of Anjou and Robert of Naples) for his second wife, Queen Sancha, who became a nun here. The basilica and convent were designed in an austere Provencal-Gothic style and completed in 1328.

The ill-fated Joan I of Anjou, granddaughter of Robert the Wise, was crowned queen in Santa Chiara in 1343 and buried here after her murder in 1382.

The church interior was given a Baroque makeover in 1742-57, which was sadly destroyed by an Allied bomb in August 1943. Santa Chiara was rebuilt in 1953 in its original style.

What to See at Santa Chiara

The west facade of Santa Chiara is austere, with only a central rose window for decoration. The west porch is original from the early 14th century; it was not damaged by the Allied bomb. The lower part of the campanile dates from the 14th century, but it was not completed until 1647.

The interior, which is the largest in Naples, has no side aisles to break up the space. Modern stained glass fills the lancet windows. Ten chapels open on to the nave, all containing notable Gothic monuments.

There are several notable Angevin tombs in the church, among which the most important are those of:

Joan I (d. 1382) is also buried here, but she was denied a Christian burial for schismatic activities and occupies an unmarked ossuary under the church floor.

The cloister of Santa Chiara is reached through a courtyard on the north side of the church, near the campanile. Dating originally from the 14th century, the large cloister was transformed into an elegant garden by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro in 1742. The beautiful majolica tiles and terracottas date from this period. Surviving from the Middle Ages is the austere friar's refectory, with a fountain in the middle.

The cloister includes a museum (Museo dell'Opera di Santa Chiara), with displays illustrating the history of the convent.

Quick Facts on Santa Chiara

Site Information
Names:Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara · Monastero di Santa Chiara · Monumental Complex of St. Clare · Santa Chiara
Country:Italy
Categories:churches; monasteries
Styles:Gothic
Dedication: St. Clare of Assisi
Dates:1310-28
Status: active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:40.846724° N, 14.252980° E
Address:Via Santa Chiara 49
Naples, Italy
Phone:081-5526280
Hours:Thu-Tue 9:30am-1pm and 4-6pm; Sun 9am-1pm
Lodging:View hotels near Santa Chiara
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

  1. Paul Blanchard, Blue Guide Southern Italy, 11th ed. (London: Blue Guides Limited, 2007), 57-60.
  2. Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara (Monumental Complex of St. Clare) - Basilica - Frommers.com
  3. Robert of Naples - Wikipedia

More Information

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Map of Santa Chiara, Naples

Below is a location map and aerial view of Santa Chiara. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.