“History” is the topic Patti chose for us to interpret with some of our photos. Immediately the Monastero di Sana Chiara in Naples, Italy came to mind. As my husband and I were walking through Naples with our tour group last year, we came upon this stunning complex in the middle of the city. It was like discovering an oasis surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life.
Sana Chiara is a religious complex built in 1340, it is steeped in history and a rare example of Medieval architecture. Originally commissioned by the French Kingdom of Anjou for the Franciscan order in the early 1300s, it is the site of the tombs of Robert of Anjou, dated 1343, along with other members of the Angevin Royal family and local aristocracy.
Along with the tombs, this stunning complex is made up of beautiful plants in majolica-tiled cloisters (or enclosed gardens), a vast church, museum and accommodations for monks and nuns.
“I enjoy art, architecture, museums, churches and temples; anything that gives me insight into the history and soul of the place I’m in.” – Cherie Lunghi
The gardens are magnificent, showcasing Baroque style with marbles, polychrome stuccos and elegant decorative seats and pillars, reconstructed by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro between 1742 and 1769. The seats throughout the garden are decorated with numerous city scenes and country life in the eighteenth century.
Decorations on the pillars show vine shoots along with wisteria twisting upwards with flowers and lemons intermingled.
“History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.” – Lord Acton
Octagonal columns with floral decorations and frescoes, or watercolor painting on wet plaster, can be seen everywhere.
Much of Sana Chiara was partially damaged as a result of repeated bombings during World War II. The pitted marks still remain in some of the stone structures in the complex. After the war, it was rebuilt back to its original Gothic style and reopened in 1953.
The museum houses the remains of the Roman baths, an archaeological site and Neapolitan Nativity scene.
Should you travel to Naples, visiting the Monastero di Santa Chiara is an experience you will remember for a long time!
“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” – Harry S Truman