Santa Chiara Basilica and Monastery Complex is a Gothic landmark in the heart of Naples, just off the lively streets of Spaccanapoli. Founded in the early 14th century by Robert of Anjou and Sancia of Majorca, it brought together a royal church, a monastery for the Poor Clares and a Franciscan friary. Its austere stone exterior gives little away about the garden hidden within.
The basilica served as a burial place for the Angevin dynasty, and the monumental tomb of Robert the Wise stands behind the altar. An Allied bombing raid in 1943 set the church ablaze, destroying much of its Baroque decoration. Restoration brought back the spare Gothic character visible today, making the vast interior a reminder of both medieval Naples and the damage the city suffered during the Second World War.
The highlight for many visitors is the Cloister of the Poor Clares, redesigned in the 1740s by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. Its garden paths are lined with benches and pillars covered in hand-painted majolica tiles, depicting landscapes, rural scenes and everyday life in vivid blues, yellows and greens. The adjoining museum adds another layer of history, with excavated remains of a Roman thermal complex.
Visit early or later in the afternoon for a quieter look at the cloister, and check opening hours and admission arrangements in advance: the basilica and the cloister and museum may keep different schedules. The complex is easy to reach on foot from Piazza del Gesù Nuovo or from the Dante metro area. As the basilica is an active place of worship, dress modestly and keep your voice low inside.