The church of St. Chiara stands against the Roman walls.
It was built, together with the convent, by Queen Sancia of Majorca, wife of Robert d'Anjou.
It is said that Queen Sancia decided to have the convent and the adjoining church built because she could not take the vows and enter the enclosed nun's order herself.
She entrusted the work to Gagliardo Primario at the beginning of 1310.
The church has only recently been restored to its former splendour : it was one of the buildings to be badly damaged by the bombings during the Second World War.
Built in Gothic style in traditional yellow tuff from the quarries of the phlegraean area, the church of Santa Chiara has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries.
These often resulted in "improvements" which were little in keeping with the original style, though fortunately this has now been brought back to light, following the destruction caused by the bombings of 4th August 1943.
The church and adjoining Convent, which have become a cultural as well as a spiritual center, are run by the Friars Minor, while the enclosed Poor Clares at present occupy the Monastery of the Holy Trinity which borders on Santa Chiara, and the small church which looks onto Piazza del Gesł.
The church facade bears a rose window of more than eight meters in diameter.
The interior preserves the Tomb of Robert d'Anjou. The sovereign is depicted on his throne in the company of his wife, Sancia, and other relations. This funeral monument was carried out by the Florentines Giovanni and Pacio Bertini in the 14th century. It is considered to be the largest monument of its kind from Medieval Italy. The work forms part of the Royal Tombs, which include the Tomb of Mary of Durazzo, by students of Bertini; and the Tombs of Mary of Valois and Charles of Calabria, the work of the great Tino di Camaino.
Near the entrance, which leads into the huge, monumental aisleless nave, are the Tomb of Clemenza and Agnes of Durazzo (right hand side), the work of a follower of Tino di Camaino, and the Penna Tomb of Baboccio.
There are twenty chapels opening onto the nave, with crossed vaults: ten on each side, and each containing something of particular artistic value.
The Gothic features were highlighted by restoration work in the 1950s.
The seventh chapel on the right contains the 14th century Balzo Tombs and a St. Francis by Naccherino.
Several Bourbon sovereigns are buried in the tenth chapel.
Note the Tomb of Philip of Bourbon, decorated with Putti by Sammartino, and that of Maria Christina of Savoy, wife of Ferdinand II.
The high altar shows marked Gothic features and is dominated by a wooden Crucifix from the 14th century.
Near the entrance, in the first chapel on the left, is the Tomb of Salvo D'Acquisto, the heroic sergeant of the Carabinieri who, with the sacrifice of his own life (23/9/1943) saved the lives of 22 people held hostage by the Germans
Behind the church is the Poor Clares's Chancel, an outstanding testimony of Gothic architecture in Naples.
Note the fragments of a cycle of frescoes painted in the 14th century by Giotto and students.
Not far from the church, but completely separate from it, stands the Campanile, built in the first half of the 14th century. Records state that the original structure collapsed following a series of earth tremors in 1456 which completely upset the city of Naples.Cloister
Visitors to Santa Chiara should certainly not miss the old Majolica-tiled Cloister.
The majolica tiles, at present being restored, bear designs of flowers and fruits, while Scenes of Daily Life are illustrated on the seats.
The work is by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro, Giuseppe and Donato Massa.
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