Certosa di San Martino: visit Naples’ majestic monastery with a view over the city

Highlights

Discover Naples the smart way: one ticket – many attractions, museums and guided tours included!
A visit to the former Carthusian monastery Certosa di San Martino is included in your Naples City Pass
No advance booking is required for this attraction – your City Pass is your admission ticket

The cloisters: Two quiet cloisters, surrounded by elegant porticoes and decorated with frescoes, offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Naples in miniature: This detailed diorama offers a unique perspective on the topography and architectural sights of Naples.
The naval section: This section shows the maritime history and displays ship models, naval instruments and artefacts that underline Naples’ connection with the sea.
Sacred Vestments Collection: An exhibition of ornate ecclesiastical vestments embroidered with gold and precious stones.
Chapter house with frescoes: Its walls and ceilings are a testimony to monastic gatherings and are decorated with vivid frescoes illustrating biblical stories and values of the Carthusian monks.

Certosa di San Martino: baroque monastery complex and national museum of San Martino

What awaits you on site

The Certosa di San Martino is located together with Castel Sant’Elmo on the Vomero mountain and dominates the Neapolitan skyline. It is a spiritual retreat that offers peace, art and an outstanding view of the vibrant city.

Within its sacred walls, the Certosa houses an extensive art collection, ranging from murals and frescoes to masterful paintings and sculptures. Famous artists such as José de Ribera, Battistello Caracciolo and Giovanni Lanfranco have contributed to its rich artistic heritage. Each work of art, whether depicting religious motifs or monastic life, tells a story of faith, creativity and Neapolitan heritage.

The centrepiece of the complex is the church, which is adorned with ornate marble, precious murals and impressive paintings. This sacred space with its high vaulted ceilings and light-flooded chapels radiates an aura of complete tranquillity and invites you to pause, reflect and enjoy the beauty of this impressive architecture.

Simply marvellous: the panoramic terraces and gardens

The elevated position of the monastery with its unrivalled panoramic terraces offers a view over the whole of Naples. Looking out, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city, stretching from the historic city centre across the shimmering bay to the impressive Mount Vesuvius. The manicured gardens and courtyards, interspersed with historical sculptures, offer tranquil spaces to relax in the midst of nature.

The Certosa di San Martino combines elements of the Catholic religion and Baroque art. In addition to the marvellous architecture of the monumental complex, the church, the gardens and the works preserved in the museum are well worth seeing. Furthermore, the privileged position of the Certosa offers you a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Naples, thanks to the elevated position of the Vomero hill and the architectural structure that offers a continuous view of the city along the route of the visit and the beautiful sea on which it is directly located.

How to get there

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Address:
Largo San Martino, 5,80129 Napoli (NA)

Good to know

Opening hours
Daily: 8.30 am – 7.00 pm (last admission 6.00 pm).
Weekly closure: Wednesday.
31.03.2024 until 27.10.2024
Daily: 8.30 am – 7.30 pm (last admission 6.30 pm)

Accessibility: Parts of the complex are not fully accessible to people with reduced mobility due to the age and layout of the buildings.
Prohibited items: Food and drink are not permitted in the museum and church areas.
Behaviour within the complex: Visitors are expected to behave respectfully, especially in the church areas, and to maintain silence when necessary. Touching works of art or historical artefacts is generally prohibited.
Smoking is not permitted in the complex.
Photography and filming: Personal photography without flash is permitted in some areas, but commercial photography and filming requires special permission.
Group sizes: Guided and unguided groups may not exceed 24 people.

A visit to the former Carthusian monastery Certosa di San Martino is included in your Naples City Pass