NAPLES - CHIOSTRO DI SANTA CHIARA
Our last Neapolitan visit was to the huge convent complex of Saint Claire. It was lunchtime so the church, badly damaged during World War 2 and restored afterwards, was closed. The Cloister was open and what a space!! The huge medieval arcades had frescoes added in the 17th century (now badly degraded) but the big change came in the 1740's when architect Vaccaro divided the central area in to 4 quadrants with a series of octagonal columns which he then covered with Maiolica tiles installing Maiolica benches for the nuns to sit on! Nuts but fabulous too!!
A selection of some of the objects which came out of the damaged World War II church and other objects owned by the church were on display in rooms on one side of the cloister.
In a room by the entrance the church's wonderful presepe was also on display - made in the 18th century in a nearby workshop and at a time when the fashion was to portray nativities as if in a local landscape and with the persona dressed in costume of the time. A fascinating perspective on life in the 18th century Campania region I suppose you could say.
There's a 6 euro charge to enter the cloister but this also includes admission to the museum and presepe. Concessions are avaiable for the over 60's.
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