Church of Santa Maria Donnaregina Nuova

The Church of Santa Maria Donnaregina Nuova, located in the heart of Naples, is a splendid example of Baroque architecture. Its construction began in 1617 and was completed in 1626, based on a design by the architect Giovan Giacomo Di Conforto. The church was built for the Clarisse nuns of the nearby convent of Santa Maria Donnaregina Vecchia, who needed a new place of worship. The facade, simple and austere, is dominated by a Renaissance-style marble portal, with a coat of arms of the Order of the Clarisse above it. The interior, on the other hand, is a triumph of Baroque decorations, with golden stuccoes, frescoes, and polychrome marbles creating an atmosphere of great solemnity and magnificence. The church has a Latin cross plan, with a single nave and side chapels enriched with works of art by illustrious artists. Among the most important works are the frescoes by Francesco Solimena, decorating the ceiling of the nave and representing the Glory of Santa Chiara. These frescoes, with their dynamic compositions and vibrant colors, are considered masterpieces of Neapolitan Baroque. On the side walls, there are other paintings by Solimena depicting episodes from the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Chiara. The main altar, created by Cosimo Fanzago, is a work of art in polychrome marbles and gilded bronzes, with a central altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Virgin, attributed to Luca Giordano. The nuns’ choir, located behind the altar, is decorated with inlaid wooden stalls from the 17th century, showcasing the skill of Neapolitan artisans of the time. The church also houses numerous funerary monuments, including those of noble Neapolitan families who contributed to its construction and maintenance. Among these, the monuments of the Carafa family stand out, sculpted by artists such as Domenico Antonio Vaccaro and Giuseppe Sanmartino. A particularly interesting element is the ceiling of the nave, a true masterpiece of wooden inlay and painting. The coffered ceiling is adorned with paintings depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary and saints of the Order of the Clarisse. These paintings, created by artists of the Neapolitan school of the 17th century, are an excellent example of the decorative richness of Neapolitan Baroque. The sacristy, also richly decorated, contains a large inlaid wooden cabinet used to store sacred vestments and liturgical objects. The cabinet is decorated with scenes from the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Chiara, inlaid with great skill. Next to the church, the convent of Santa Maria Donnaregina Nuova now houses the Diocesan Museum of Naples. The museum preserves a vast collection of sacred art, including paintings, sculptures, liturgical furnishings, and sacred vestments from the churches and convents of the diocese. The museum offers visitors the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Neapolitan sacred art and admire masterpieces ranging from the Middle Ages to the Baroque. The Church of Santa Maria Donnaregina Nuova is an extraordinary example of how art and architecture can express spirituality and religious devotion. Every detail, from stucco decorations to frescoes, from polychrome marbles to wooden inlays, testifies to the cultural and artistic richness of Naples in the 17th century.