Convent of Santa Maria La Nova, Religious complex in central Naples, Italy
The Convent of Santa Maria La Nova is a religious complex in central Naples featuring two cloisters with marble columns and frescoed walls, designed with a Renaissance facade by Agnolo Franco. The church interior displays 46 ceiling frescoes, and the complex includes several chapels and a former refectory.
The Franciscan monastery was founded in 1279 after Charles I of Anjou granted permission to build a new church replacing the demolished Santa Maria ad Palatium. The convent developed over centuries into a significant religious and artistic center in Naples.
The building houses a museum of contemporary religious art in what were once monk cells, displaying works by artists including Riccardo Dalisi. The collection brings modern artistic expression into dialogue with the convent's spiritual spaces.
The complex is located near Naples' main post office and is easily accessible by public transport and on foot. Plan at least an hour to explore the cloisters, refectory, church, and museum spaces at your own pace.
One chapel contains the preserved remains of Saint James of the Marches, a rare religious relic that draws pilgrims from around the world. The convent walls also hold memorials to notable warriors, including Amida of Tunis, reflecting the site's historical importance.
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