Santa Chiara Complex, Naples (must see)

The Santa Chiara Complex was founded in the early 14th century under the Angevin rulers Robert of Anjou and Queen Sancia. At its heart stands the Basilica of Santa Chiara, originally built in a sober Gothic style that stood in contrast to the ornate churches more commonly associated with Naples.

Over the centuries, the complex evolved alongside the city. Baroque additions gradually transformed the basilica’s interior, filling it with rich decoration and colour. This version of Santa Chiara was largely destroyed during World War II, when Allied bombing in 1943 caused a devastating fire. Rather than reconstructing the Baroque interior, post-war restorations chose to return the church to its original Gothic simplicity.

After you leave the church and stroll along the basilica’s eastern façade, you encounter a gated yellow arch that leads to the complex’s most celebrated space: the cloister, redesigned in the 18th century and decorated with vibrant majolica tiles. The tiled pillars and benches depict scenes of rural life, landscapes, and everyday activities. This cloister has become one of the most photographed places in Naples, valued not only for its beauty but also for the unexpected calm it offers within the historic centre. Contributing to this sense of calm are gardens planted with citrus and lavender, as well as a fountain set within what was once the medieval friars’ refectory.

Another sight worth seeing inside the cloister is the Opera Museum of Santa Chiara. It can be found on the opposite side of the cloister’s entrance. The museum displays the remains of a 1st-century Roman bath complex, allowing visitors to trace the site’s history back to ancient Naples.