Santa Chiara, Renaissance church in Old Town Bari, Italy.
Santa Chiara is a Renaissance church located in the heart of Bari's old center, featuring rough stone walls and a single nave layout. The interior contains eight side chapels, each adorned with polychromatic marble altars and religious artwork.
The church was originally built for a different religious order and managed by knights, before Pope Innocent VIII transferred it to the Poor Clares in 1492. The Poor Clares have maintained their presence here for centuries.
The wooden jalousies above side chapels allowed cloistered nuns to attend mass celebrations while maintaining their separation from public view.
The church sits in a central location within the old town, easily reached on foot from nearby squares and main streets. A nearby convent remains actively used, so visiting hours and access may be limited depending on their daily activities.
The side chapels were designed with high wooden screens that allowed cloistered nuns to observe services while remaining hidden from the congregation below. The connected convent now operates as a community kitchen providing free meals daily to those in need.
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