The Museum of San Martino is placed in the same area where there was a middle age chartreuse, on the top of one of the hills of Naples.
In fact in Naples there are two famous hills named Vomero and Posillipo. San Martino is on the Vomero hill.
Vomero district
Vomero is an area where middle class people are used to live. It’s a pretty area of the city with gardens and large streets. There is a cable railway called funicolare to go from the city center to Vomero. Elegant coffee-shops, modern stores and green areas are typical of this area. It’s nice to have a walk here too.
Viewpoint of San Martino
San Martino is on the highest point of this district. In front of it there is a large area and a wonderful viewpoint. From here you can admire all the city of Naples. Looking down you can recognize the ancient streets of the city, the Royal Palace of Capodimonte and the sea with the port.
Out of the San Martino Museum there is the Church of Women. In fact in the middle age women were forbidden to enter in the men’s church.
Different collections
In San Martino there is an astonishing church, some courtyards, the ancient Nativities Collection, the ancient Naval Collection and another collection of middle age artifacts. There is an interesting underground area too which is open just on Saturday and Sunday.
This complex became a museum only in 1861, when Naples became part of Italy. In fact the Italian Government decided to make of this area the place where to put the collection of all the objects of the Neapolitan tradition.
The church
After a courtyard you will be inside the church. You will be really surprised. A spectacular baroque creation will appear to your eyes. In this church there are paintings made by the best Neapolitan painters, like Battistello Caracciolo, Luca Giordano, Giuseppe Sanmartino. Passing through the altar you will reach the sacristy and other wonderful rooms and you will see other surprising paintings. The best baroque artifacts are in this church.
Passing through another courtyard which was a cemetery too we’ll reach the Nativities Collection.
Nativities and other collections
Here you can admire the traditional nativities of the best local artists. The biggest nativity is the Presepe Cuciniello, made of different materials like terracotta and cork. The Nativities represent the real tradition of the Neapolitan people. Local people still believe in this tradition and still try to save it.
We can see the other collections too.
Anyway, we can end the tour in the gardens of the chartreuse. From here we’ll admire the spectacular view of the sea. When it’s a sunny day the view is really amazing. Think of being here in a spring day for example.
You have the opportunity to know the real Neapolitan tradition looking at this museum.
Don’t miss this opportunity!