Santa Chiara Church and Convent, Naples
The large basilica of Santa Chiara dominates the skyline of old Naples. Public domain.
West facade of Santa Chiara in Naples. Photo
Lalupa.
West porch, an original feature from the 14th century. Photo
Lalupa.
Campanile of Santa Chiara. Photo
Lalupa.
Interior view of Santa Chiara Basilica. Photo
Baku.
Royal tomb in the interior. Public domain.
The beautiful cloister of Santa Chiara. Public domain.
Beautiful majolica tiles in the cloister. Photo
Lalupa.
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.
History
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
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:
- Robert the Wise (d.1343) by Florentine artists Giovanni and Pacio Bertini, behind the high altar
- Charles, Duke of Calabria (son of Robert the Wise; d. 1328) by Tino da Camaino, on the right
- Mary of Calabria (youngest daughter of Charles, born after his death; d. 1366), on the left
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
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Santa Chiara Church and Convent; Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara (Monumental Complex of St. Clare); Monastero di Santa Chiara |
| Location: | Naples, Campania, Italy |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Franciscan |
| Dedication: | St. Clare of Assisi |
| Categories: | Churches; Abbeys & Monasteries |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
| Date: | 1310-28 |
| Patron(s): | Robert the Wise |
| Features: | Famous Grave |
| Status: | active |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Via Santa Chiara 49, Naples, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 40.846724° N, 14.25298° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 081-5526280 |
| Opening hours: | Thu-Tue 9:30am-1pm and 4-6pm; Sun 9am-1pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Related tours: | Small Group Naples City Sightseeing Tour |
Travel Resources
- Naples Map - our detailed interactive map of Naples, plus hand-picked links to more
- Naples Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Naples Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Naples
- Naples Car Rentals - enjoy more travel freedom by picking up a car in Naples
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Santa Chiara Church and Convent. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Naples Map.
Article Sources
- Paul Blanchard, Blue Guide Southern Italy, 11th ed. (London: Blue Guides Limited, 2007), 57-60.
- Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara (Monumental Complex of St. Clare) - Basilica - Frommers.com
- Robert of Naples - Wikipedia
Last updated on April 12, 2010.
