children itineraries

CARTHUSIAN MONASTERY OF ST MARTIN

 From the top of the Vomero hill, you can admire a magnificent view over the city, the gulf and the islands. A visit to the former Carthusian monastery will give you the opportunity to take a little rest from the mess of Naples city centre and enjoy some moments of peace in its gardens.

Built in the 14^th century, the monastery was completely renovated in the 17^th century by the ingenious architects Conforto and Fanzago who designed its present Neapolitan Baroque look. The church is rich in marble decoration and beautiful baroque pictures by Ribera, Stanzione and Luca Giordano.

If you want to get acquainted with Naples history and art between 17^th and 19^th centuries, you will find a visit to the museum inside the monastery very interesting. Even your children will appreciate many of the sections of the museum. They will certainly admire the models of royal ships in the naval section, garments , fans , jewels and snuff boxes , and above all they will be fascinated by the section containing the Neapolitan nativity scenes, the “presepi”.  Here a remarkable collection of shepherds and nativity scenes is stored. The shepherds are the work by prestigious  craftsmen from the 18^th century Neapolitan school and are made with extreme accuracy of ceramic and of wood  and dressed in fine embroidered clothes made of silk or wool. The most significant of these masterpieces is the Cuciniello Presepe, which is one of the most admired exhibits in the whole museum. Outside the Monastery you can taste a delicious ice-cream with your children while you admire the panorama by means of the telescopes placed on the esplanade or go window-shopping of the little jewelleries near the monastery, selling artworks by Neapolitan goldsmiths like cameos and coral jewels.    

by Marianna