Certosa di San Martino, Carthusian monastery museum on Vomero hill, Naples, Italy
Certosa di San Martino is a former Carthusian monastery on Vomero hill in Naples, Italy, now serving as a museum. The complex consists of several cloisters, monks' living quarters, terraced gardens, and a church whose interior is fitted with marble and frescoes.
Carlo, Duke of Calabria, founded the monastery in 1325 as an endowment for the Carthusian order. In the 17th century, architect Cosimo Fanzago redesigned the complex with Baroque elements and changed its appearance.
The dedication to Martin of Tours probably stems from an older chapel on the site bearing his name, documented before 1467. Inside the church, near the entrance, a mural depicts Henry VIII's suppression and destruction of the London Charterhouse. The museum also holds one of the finest collections of presepe, Neapolitan Nativity scenes.
The museum opens daily except Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and guided tours can be booked in advance. Walking through the different floors and outdoor areas requires good footwear and some mobility.
French troops expelled the Carthusian monks in 1799, ending centuries of monastic life at this site. Since then, the building has served as a museum preserving Naples' past and displaying collections from different eras.
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