San Martino Monastery, Naples

The San Martino Monastery is a complex that was once managed by monks of the Carthusian Order and dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. Today, it houses a museum with diverse religious and historical art exhibits.

The Certosa di San Martino or Saint Martin’s Charterhouse was commissioned by Charles of Anjou in 1325 and completed in 1368 during the reign of Queen Joan I of Naples. It was built on top of the Vomero Hill and commanded spectacular views of the bay. It was expanded in the 16th century and the present structure is the result of a 17th century expansion, designed by renowned architect, Cosimo Fanzago, in ornate Neapolitan Baroque style. The monastery was closed in the early 19th century during the reign of Napoleon’s brother in law, Joachim Murat. In 1866, it was converted into a museum dedicated to the artistic history and culture of Naples by Giuseppe Fiorelli.

The San Martino Museum consists of exhibits displayed in the former cells of the Carthusian monks. Objects exhibited include a range of paintings and artifacts from the 13th to the 19th centuries, 16th and 17th century frescoes and a separate section displaying Neapolitan folk art. The treasures at the museum are the famous collection of Neapolitan nativity scenes, including the celebrated Cuciniello’s Crib, depicting 28 angels, 162 people, 80 animals and over 450 miniature artifacts, that is regarded as the finest in the world.