Complesso di Santa Maria di Materdei, Religious convent in Materdei district, Naples, Italy.
The Santa Maria di Materdei complex is a convent in the Materdei district of Naples featuring a main church with a barrel-vaulted nave, side chapels, and two cloisters with different architectural styles. Today it houses multiple facilities including university spaces and educational institutions.
The convent was established in 1585 by Father Agostino de Juliis of the Servite Order and shaped the neighborhood for centuries. In 1728, architect Nicola Tagliacozzi Canale carried out major renovations that transformed the complex's appearance.
The complex houses a Museum of Contemporary Religious Art displaying works by Italian artists, showing how this space remains active as a venue for artistic expression connected to spiritual themes. Visitors can see how modern creations interact with the historical setting.
The complex today operates with various facilities, some open to visitors while others serve university and school functions. It is best to check beforehand which areas are accessible and what visiting times apply.
The minor cloister contains a marble well surrounded by Ionic columns that creates a calm center within the complex. Well-preserved frescoes depicting Saint James and historical tombs tell the story of those who lived here.
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