Museo dell'Opera di Santa Chiara
Museum of the monumental complex of Santa Chiara in Naples, with the Archaeological, Marbles, Reliquaries and History rooms, the majolica cloister, the Roman archaeological area and an 18th-century Nativity scene.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo dell’Opera, opened to the public in 1995, is on the ground floor of the cloister of the Santa Chiara complex in the historic centre of Naples. The monastery and the Gothic basilica belong to the Fondo Edifici di Culto of the Ministry of the Interior and are run by the Friars Minor.
The route is divided into four rooms: the Archaeological Room, with finds that emerged during the restoration work carried out by the friars in the 1950s, including ceramic vessels; the Marbles Room, with fragments and sculptures of different periods, largely from tombs damaged in the Second World War; and the Reliquaries Room and the History Room, which reconstructs the vicissitudes of the complex and shows images of the basilica before and after the bombing of 1943 and the phases of its reconstruction, with the busts of King Robert and his wife Sancia.
The same ticket also gives access to the majolica cloister, the archaeological area with the remains of a Roman thermal complex of the 1st century AD, the library, a video room and the 18th-century Nativity scene.
Highlights
- Majolica cloister with decorated ceramic pillars and benches
- Archaeological area with Roman baths of the 1st century AD
- Marbles room with sculptures and fragments of tombs damaged in the war
- History room on the reconstruction after the 1943 bombing
- 18th-century Nativity scene
- Free audio guide with 360-degree augmented reality
Permanent exhibition
- Museo dell'Opera: sale archeologica, dei marmi, dei reliquiari e della storia – Four rooms with archaeological finds, sculptures and fragments, reliquaries and documents on the history and reconstruction of the complex, plus the 18th-century Nativity scene and the Roman archaeological area.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Complesso monumentale di Santa Chiara (Frati Minori; gestione: Associazione Oltre il Chiostro)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 250,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5over 65s, university students under 30 and teachers, with a document certifying their category |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 6 · Children aged 7 to 17: €4; free under 7. |
| Seniors | €5Over 65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeWith a disability from 65% to 100%, free admission; the companion pays the full ticket, unless the disability is 100% (free companion). Below 65%, reduced rate. |
| Students & apprentices | €5University students under 30. |
| Groups | €4 per personSpecial rate for school groups. |
The ticket covers the cloister, the museum, the archaeological area, the library, the video room and the 18th-century Nativity scene. There are no agreements with Artecard or FAI. Free admission to the basilica.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Guide dogs are admitted; small animals only if carried or in a carrier.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Dante
Metro line 1, Dante or Università stop; line 2, Cavour or Montesanto stop; bus 151 (Nuova Marina stop), R2 and 202 (Corso Umberto stop); Alibus, Dante stop.
By car
The complex is in the ZTL (limited traffic zone); authorised ZTL car parks are available, and there is a taxi rank in Piazza del Gesù.
Entrance at Via Santa Chiara 49/C, a few steps from Piazza del Gesù and Via Benedetto Croce (Spaccanapoli); from the stops indicated the walk takes about 5–10 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop and online shop of the complex.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The complex hosts weddings, congresses, conferences and gala dinners.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | The visit is self-guided; a free audio guide can be downloaded to your smartphone by QR code, with explanations also of areas closed to the public and 360-degree augmented reality views. The video room screens a film of about 15 minutes on the history of the complex before and after the bombing. Guided visits with a guide of the complex can be booked at least 10 days in advance, for groups of 25 people. |
