Certosa e Museo di San Martino

The Monastery and Museum on the Vomero Mountain of Naples

The Certosa di San Martino is a Carthusian monastery on the Vomero mountain of Naples and today houses the Museo Nazionale di San Martino.

Certosa e Museo di San Martino

The architect and sculptor Tino di Camaino was given the responsibility to build the Carthusian monastery of San Martino (in Italian Certosa di San Martino). The construction of this monastery in Naples started in 1325. Only the Gothic cellar remains of the original building, which is a fine piece of engineering. Over the course of five centuries, the Carthusian monastery has repeatedly had to deal with different restoration work.

^{From the monastery you have a beautiful view of the bay}

^{Look for the special details in the museum of San Martino Monastery}

The San Martino Monastery through the years

The complex on Vomero mountain was damaged and occupied by the French during the Revolution of 1799. The Carthusians were suppressed by the king during this period. When the suppression was lifted in 1804, the monks were allowed to return to San Martino. In 1812 the monastery was used by the army for war victims. In 1831 the army left the monastery for the necessary restoration work. Finally in 1836 a small group of monks settled permanently until 1866. Then San Martino was transformed into a museum by Giuseppe Fiorelli as a separate department of the National Museum. 1867 was the year the museum was opened to the general public. You will find the monastery right next to Castel Sant' Elmo. These two buildings typify Mount Vomero. Today Certosa di San Martino is still a museum where you will find numerous paintings and statues from the 15th century and beyond, as well as old carriages and nativity scenes. Other highlights of San Martino are the courtyard gardens and cloister of 'Il Chiostro Grande'.

^{The chapel, one of the highlights of the monastery}

^{The national museum has a varied collection}

Where is the San Martino Museum in Naples?