Hermitage of Camaldoli, Renaissance monastery on Camaldoli hill, Naples, Italy
The Hermitage of Camaldoli is a Renaissance monastery complex sitting on a hilltop above Naples, designed by architect Domenico Fontana. The structure features a church, monastic cells with private gardens, a chapter house, and a functioning pharmacy, all organized around the central spiritual core.
The monastery was built in 1585 on land where an ancient chapel had stood for more than 1000 years. Religious communities have occupied the site continuously, with its current inhabitants arriving in the late 20th century.
The church walls display works by regional artists whose styles reflect the religious art traditions of Naples. Visitors can see how these paintings shaped the spiritual space where monks and nuns still gather today.
The location sits at a significant elevation above the city, so visitors should expect cooler conditions and stronger winds than in the surrounding lowlands. Tours can be arranged to explore the structures and participate in some daily rhythms of the religious community.
The monastery maintains a working pharmacy where honey and herbal teas are still made and sold according to recipes passed down by earlier monks. This craft production reveals how the community sustains itself while keeping alive the traditions of its predecessors.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
