Naples: Guided Tour of Donnaregina Monumental Museum

You will visit the Donnaregina Monumental Complex in Naples accompanied by one of our expert guides, a unique testimony in the Neapolitan historic center of the redundant and rich Baroque decoration. Born as a Franciscan monastic complex, evidence of the ancient convent and of the two original churches, the medieval one and the seventeenth-century one, are preserved, connected to each other, until the thirties of the twentieth century, by a corridor that united past and present, allowing the Poor Clares to move without leaving from places of closure. You will visit the Church of Santa Maria Donnaregina Vecchia, evidence of which dates back to 780, part of a convent that has hosted Italian-Greek, Basilian, Benedictine and finally Franciscan nuns over the centuries. Destroyed by a violent earthquake in 1293, it was adopted by the wife of Charles II of Anjou, Maria of Hungary, who provided for its reconstruction in the Gothic style, asking that her own sepulcher be housed in the church (a magnificent monument created by the Sienese sculptor Tino di Camaino and Gagliardo Primary). Frescoes present in the choir, albeit reddish because they were altered by a fire, constitute the largest and most interesting fourteenth-century cycle preserved in Naples. Also in the choir you can admire the wooden coffered ceiling with the Coronation of the Virgin created by the Bergamo sculptor Pietro Belverte at the beginning of the 16th century and the wooden stalls from the same period, coming from San Lorenzo. The church also preserves Renaissance frescoes in the lower parts of the choir and two Crucifixions on the sides of the apse arch.

We will then move on to visit the second Church of Santa Maria Donnaregina (the New one) decided at the beginning of the seventeenth century in Baroque style by the Clarisse nuns, at the time hosted in the monastery. Work began here in 1617 with the participation of the most prestigious artists of the time. The realization was of such magnificence that, even today, climbing the majestic piperno staircase you can admire the exuberant nave of the church, covered with polychrome marbles and the vault entirely frescoed with the Glory of the Virgin; This magnificence is completed by a fresco by the young Francesco Solimena representing the Miracle of the roses of San Francesco and next to the high altar, some canvases by the Baroque painter Luca Giordano.

In the meantime we will visit the 2 churches of the Complex, we will be accompanied along the historical itinerary offered by the Diocesan Museum: here you will admire an eclectic collection of works of art, including tables, canvases, frescoes, sculptures, gold, silver, paintings, sculptures and historical artifacts ranging from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Each room tells fascinating stories of monks, artists and historical figures who have left their mark on this unique place. It winds inside the Baroque church where works of great value are exhibited such as the Announcement and the Immaculate Conception of 1646, by the Lorraine Charles Mellin, or Saint Francis receiving the symbols of beatification and holiness, rare iconography by Solimena or again the tender Madonna with Child by Massimo Stanzione, placed in the sacristy. The museum itinerary deals with significant themes of the Christian faith lived and manifested in the Neapolitan Church and this is why there is no lack of the representation of "San Gennaro", patron saint of Naples and the representation of "Maria", a model of life for Christians.
The Museum, through the works exhibited on 3,000 square meters, allows a real journey in the Christian faith, thanks to formidable painters such as Andrea Vaccaro, Paolo de Matteis and Luca Giordano; but also, in the Flemish Teodoro d'Errico, in Francesco Solimena, Aniello Falcone, and Marco Pino da Siena.
Furthermore, entering the Museum, which extends for a good 3000 square meters, it will be possible to discover, in the Precious Room, the rare 12th-century Stauroteca which houses a fragment of the Cross of Christ and the 14th-century tempera panel with a gold background, which represents a portrait of the archbishop of Naples Umberto d'Ormont.

The Donnaregina Monumental Complex Museum is much more than just a museum. It is a dive into the past, an opportunity to discover the traces left by the centuries, to be inspired by the artistic beauty and to embrace the cultural heritage of Naples. It is a place to visit for: Art lovers who want to explore masterpieces from different eras, History lovers who want to experience the past through architectural and artistic testimonies, Curious travelers looking for places that tell the story of a city... but also simple lovers of beauty looking for something unique in the world!

The entrance ticket and the accompaniment by one of our authorized expert guides.

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Duration: About 2 hours.
Guide Language: Available in Italian and English.
Hours: Varies based on availability. Contact MeTour.it for more information.
How to Book:

The reservation of the "Guided Tour of the Donnaregina Monumental Complex Museum of Naples" is not binding, but subject to availability with respect to the desired dates and times. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of your booking. with all the necessary details for your visit.

Our dedication to making tourism accessible to all, ensures that every visitor can fully appreciate this extraordinary stop in the cultural heritage of Naples.

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We invite tourists with special needs or requests to contact us via our contact form. One of our experts will contact you as soon as possible.

Opening time:
from Monday to Thursday: 9:30 - 16:30
from Friday to Sunday: 9:30 - 19:00
Tuesday: Closed