Museo San Giuseppe dei Nudi

About the museum

The museum holds the heritage of the Real Monte e Arciconfraternita di San Giuseppe dell’Opera di Vestire i Nudi, a charitable institution founded in Naples in 1740 with the approval of Charles of Bourbon. Its purpose was to clothe the poor and assist the needy, and over roughly three centuries it accumulated paintings, sculptures, relics, furnishings and documents thanks to donations from its brothers and benefactors.

The museum is located in the 18th-century palace of the monumental complex, in the area once known as Costigliola, a short distance from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. The complex also includes the historic archive, a late Baroque church founded in 1743 on land granted by Duke Domenico Carafa, and an ancient garden restored as a hortus conclusus in the heart of a working-class neighbourhood.

The route, realised with support from the ERDF (FESR) Campania 2014–2020 funds, opened to the public in 2025 and is divided into six rooms. Among the works are paintings by Francesco De Mura, a 14th-century Madonna of Humility attributed to a follower of Simone Martini, the marble Saint Joseph by Matteo Bottigliero and the large, restored Martyrdom of Saint Januarius (San Gennaro). The collection of 52 portraits of Bourbon sovereigns, popes, cardinals, archbishops and benefactors documents Neapolitan society from the mid-18th century to the early 20th century. The best-known relic is the Flowering Staff of Saint Joseph, which arrived in Naples in 1712 and is linked to the popular Neapolitan saying about the “mazzarella”.

Highlights

• The Flowering Staff of Saint Joseph, a relic linked to the Neapolitan saying about the “mazzarella”
• Gallery of 52 portraits of popes, Bourbon sovereigns, cardinals and benefactors
• Paintings by Francesco De Mura and a 14th-century Madonna of Humility
• Marble Saint Joseph by Matteo Bottigliero and the Martyrdom of Saint Januarius
• Late Baroque church and historic garden (hortus conclusus)

Permanent exhibitions

• Percorso museale in sei sale – Paintings, sculptures, reliquaries and documents telling about three centuries of the history of the Arciconfraternita di San Giuseppe dei Nudi.
• Stupeficium: il Bastone fiorito di San Giuseppe – Section devoted to the relic of the saint’s staff, which reached Naples in the 18th century from the Holy Land, and to the origins of the Neapolitan saying about the “mazzarella”.
• I ritratti – Fifty-two portraits of benefactors, Bourbon sovereigns, popes, archbishops and cardinals, made between the mid-18th and early 20th centuries.

Founded

2025

Operated by

Fondazione Real Monte e Arciconfraternita di San Giuseppe dell'Opera di Vestire i Nudi

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

The standard ticket starts at €8 and covers the entire monumental complex (museum, church and garden); it is bought online for 1–14 people. The visit lasts about 30 minutes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it is accessible to people with disabilities: there are stair lifts, handrails and two fully accessible toilets, on the ground and first floors. Booking by writing to museo@sangiuseppedeinudi.org is recommended, so that staff can assist.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Every Saturday at 11:00 the children’s workshop “Io, l’altro e lo Specchio” takes place (about 60 minutes, €3 per participant): a short visit to the confraternity’s portraits, followed by a portrait-making activity. Booking strongly recommended.

Getting there & parking

The museum is a few steps from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit