Description of the attraction
The modern appearance of the ensemble of the monastery of St. Clara of Assisi is the result of meticulous restoration carried out to eliminate the damage caused by the bombing on August 4, 1943 and the subsequent fire. Restoration work returned the monastery to its original Gothic appearance. The first temple, built in 1310 - 1328. at the request of Robert I of Anjou and his wife, it was consecrated in honor of the Body of the Lord, and its current name is obliged to the monks of the Clares who settled here. The interior of the basilica is shaped by one majestic hall, illuminated by tall Gothic windows. Galleries with side chapels stretch along the sides of the hall. The main attraction of the interior is the majestic main altar, fortunately untouched by fire, with the Crucifix of the Trecento era. In its apse and next to the entrance to the sacristy are the gravestones of the monarchs of the Anjou dynasty of the XIV century.
The main attraction of the monastery, now owned by the Franciscans, is its cloister (monastery courtyard), with gardens, arcades, alleys, bosquets, columns and benches covered with majolica tiles. The idea of such decoration belongs to D. Vaccaro, and majolica with pastoral and mythological subjects were made in 1740 by Donato and Giuseppe Massa.
