Charterhouse of San Martino

The Certosa di San Martino, located on the Vomero hill in Naples, is one of the most significant monumental complexes in the city, representing a shining example of Baroque architecture. Founded in 1325 by Carlo d’Angiò, Duke of Calabria, the Certosa was initially designed by the architect Tino di Camaino and completed by his successors, including Giovanni Antonio Dosio and Cosimo Fanzago. The complex, dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, includes a church, cloisters, gardens, and numerous chapels, and is now home to the National Museum of San Martino. The main church, with a single nave and several side chapels, is richly decorated with artworks mainly dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The portico, renovated by Giovanni Antonio Dosio and later by Cosimo Fanzago, features frescoes by artists such as Giovanni Baglione and Belisario Corenzio, depicting stories of Carthusian saints and episodes related to the history of the Certosa. Inside, the marble floor of the nave, a work by Cosimo Fanzago, creates a three-dimensional effect with its complex carving and the use of polychrome marbles.The side chapels of the church are eight, each with its own rich decoration. For example, the chapel of San Gennaro features paintings by Battistello Caracciolo and sculptures by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. The chapel of San Bruno is decorated with marbles and paintings by Massimo Stanzione, depicting scenes from the saint’s life. Another notable chapel is that of the Assumption, with frescoes by Francesco De Mura and sculptures by Giuseppe Sanmartino.The large cloister, also renovated by Giovanni Antonio Dosio, houses the monks’ cells and the prior’s cemetery, decorated with marble busts by Cosimo Fanzago. The Cloister of the Procurators, smaller in size, is characterized by a loggia with frescoes and a central well. The hanging gardens offer a panoramic view of the city and the Gulf of Naples, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity that contrasts with the lively urban life below.Over the centuries, the Certosa has undergone numerous restructuring and expansion interventions, further enriching its artistic heritage. During the Counter-Reformation period, for example, the church and cloisters were decorated with new artworks to meet the aesthetic and liturgical criteria of the time. Among the artists who worked at the Certosa are illustrious names of Neapolitan painting, such as Jusepe de Ribera, Luca Giordano, and Paolo De Matteis, whose works contribute to making the Certosa a true museum of sacred art.After the Unification of Italy, the Certosa was transformed into a national museum, dedicated to the history and culture of Naples. The National Museum of San Martino houses a vast collection of artworks, historical artifacts, and testimonies of Neapolitan life, offering visitors a journey through the centuries. Among the most important collections are those of Neapolitan nativity scenes, a deeply rooted artisanal tradition in the local culture, and a series of views of Naples documenting the city’s urban evolution.One fascinating aspect of the Certosa is the presence of Gothic underground spaces, opened to the public only recently, revealing the original medieval structure of the complex. These spaces, used as warehouses and cellars by the monks, offer a further glimpse into daily life inside the Certosa and the construction techniques used in the Middle Ages.