Santa Maria la Nova is a

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas ...

style, now-deconsecrated,

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

church and monastery in central

Naples Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...

. The church is located at the beginning of a side street directly across from the east side of the main post office, a few blocks south of the Church and Monastery of Santa Chiara. Today the adjacent monastery is a meeting site and hosts the Museo ARCA of modern religious art.

History

Since the early 13th century, a

Franciscan The Franciscans are a group of related Mendicant orders, mendicant Christianity, Christian Catholic religious order, religious orders within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1209 by Italian Catholic friar Francis of Assisi, these orders include t ...

monastery, named ''Santa Maria ad Palatium'' had existed nearby, but by 1268, was demolished in order for

Charles of Anjou Charles I (early 1226/12277 January 1285), commonly called Charles of Anjou, was a member of the royal Capetian dynasty and the founder of the second House of Anjou. He was Count of Provence (1246–85) and Forcalquier (1246–48, 1256–85) i ...

decided to build his

Castel Nuovo Castel Nuovo (; "New Castle"), often called Maschio Angioino (; "Angevin Keep"), is a medieval castle located in front of Piazza Municipio and the city hall ( Palazzo San Giacomo) in central Naples, Campania, Italy. Its scenic location and impo ...

(new castle), or Maschio Angioino. By 1279, the Friars were granted this site to build a new church, hence ''la Nova''. Initially constructed in

Gothic Gothic or Gothics may refer to: People and languages *Goths or Gothic people, the ethnonym of a group of East Germanic tribes **Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths **Crimean Gothic, the Gothic language spoken b ...

style, the building was battered by Naple's frequent earthquakes but also suffered gravely from an explosion originating from

Castel Sant'Elmo Castel Sant'Elmo is a medieval fortress located on Vomero Hill adjacent to the Certosa di San Martino, overlooking Naples, Italy. The name "Sant'Elmo" derives from a former 10th-century church dedicated to Sant'Erasmo, shortened to "Ermo" and, ...

on December 13, 1587. This last episode prompted reconstruction in 1596-1599, as announced in a cornice inscription, leading to the facade we see today, designed by Agnolo Franco Typical of Franciscan churches, the facade has a sober and simple restraint, accessed through a staircase and balustrade.

Interior

The church nave ceiling is decorated with 46 gilt-framed ''cassetone'', or rectangular fresco panels, completed in 1598-1600. Among the contributing artists were

Francesco Curia Francesco Curia (1538–1610) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in his hometown of Naples. He was the son of the painter Michele Curia. He was a pupil of the painter Giovanni Filippo Criscuolo. Among his pupils were ...

;

Girolamo Imparato Girolamo Imparato (1550–1607)Tuck-Scala, Anna Kiyomi, ''The Documented Paintings and Life of Andrea Vaccaro (1604-1670)'', Graduate Program: Art History Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Dissertation, Date of Defense: August 20, 2003, The Pennsylvani ...

(''Assumption of the Virgin'');

Fabrizio Santafede Fabrizio Santafede or Fabrizio Santaféde (c. 1560–1623/28) was an Italian painter known for his altarpieces. He painted in a style that rejected the Mannerism popular in the Naples of his time and evident in the works of Francesco Curia. Lif ...

(''Coronation of the Virgin'');

Giovanni Bernardino Azzolino Giovanni Bernardino Azzolini (c. 1572 – 12 December 1645) was an Italian painter and sculptor who continued painting in a late-Mannerist style, mainly active in Naples and Genoa. He is also known by Azzolino or Mazzolini or Asoleni. Life and w ...

;

Belisario Corenzio Belisario Corenzio ( el, Βελισσάριος Κορένσιος 1558–1646) was a Greek-Italian painter, active in Venice and Naples. He is one of few Greek painters that did not belong to the Cretan Renaissance like his contemporaries of the ...

(''Passion of Christ'');

Luigi Rodriguez Luigi Rodriguez, also called Luigi Roderico (active early 17th century) was a Spanish- Italian painter, active in Naples, Italy. He is described by De Dominici as a pupil under Belisario Corenzio. He painted canvases in the church of Santa Maria ...

(''Prophets'' and ''Sybils'');

Cesare Smet Cesare, the Italian language, Italian version of the given name Caesar (title), Caesar, may refer to: Given name * Cesare, Marquis of Beccaria (1738–1794), an Italian philosopher and politician * Cesare Airaghi (1840–1896), Italian colonel ...

; and Tommaso Maurizio. Along the windows are canvases (''Symbols of Faith'') by

, who also painted the ''Final Judgement'' in the counterfacade in collaboration with

. On the right of the counterfacade is a copy of a painting by Aert Mytens. The transept has canvases by

Nicola Malinconico Nicola Malinconico (16631721) was a Neapolitan painter of the late-Baroque. He is described as a follower of Luca Giordano, and painted mostly religious canvases. He painted the chapel altarpieces for the church of St Michele Arcangelo in Anacapri ...

and Corenzio. In the chapel to the right of the altar is a painting by Simone Papa, retouched in the 19th century by Luigi Pastore. The architects and decorators of the choir (1621) include Corenzio, Papa, De Lione, with stucco by Francesco Napolella. To the left of the altar is a silver ''paliotto'' for Domenico Marinelli and Matteo Treglia, made to designs from

Lorenzo Vaccaro Lorenzo Vaccaro (1655 – 10 August 1706) was an Italian late- Baroque sculptor. He worked in a formalized restrained style. He was born in Naples, the son of a lawyer. He apprenticed with Cosimo Fanzago Cosimo Fanzago (Clusone, 12 October 1591 ...

and

Gaetano Vesivalle Gaetano (anglicized ''Cajetan'') is an Italian masculine given name. It is also used as a surname. It is derived from the Latin ''Caietanus'', meaning "from ''Caieta''" (the modern Gaeta). The given name has been in use in Italy since medieval p ...

. The walls are frescoed by Beinaschi and have sculptures by Tommaso Malvito. In the arches of the chapels are frescoes (1699–1701) by Malinconico. Chiesa di Santa Maria la Nova (Napoli) - Interno 003

Chiesa di Santa Maria la Nova (Napoli) - Interno 003

Chiesa di Santa Maria la Nova (Napoli) - Interno 018

Chiesa di Santa Maria la Nova (Napoli) - Interno 013

Chiesa di Santa Maria la Nova (Napoli) - Soffitto 001

The main altar (1640) was conceived by

Cosimo Fanzago Cosimo Fanzago (Clusone, 12 October 1591 – Napoli, 13 February 1678) was an Italian architect and sculptor, generally considered the greatest such artist of the Baroque period in Naples, Italy. Facade Santa Maria della Sapienza. Biography Fanz ...

, and completed with help from Mario Cotti, Giuseppe Pellizza, and

Andrea Lazzaro Andrea is a given name which is common worldwide for both males and females, cognate to Andreas, Andrey, Andrej and Andrew. Origin of the name The name derives from the Greek language, Greek word ἀνήρ (''anēr''), genitive ἀνδρός ...

. Agostino Borghetti completed the wooden statues of the Procession artifact. The first chapel on right has paintings by

Battistello Caracciolo Giovanni Battista Caracciolo (also called Battistello) (1578–1635) was an Italian artist and important Neapolitan follower of Caravaggio. He was a member of the murderous Cabal of Naples, with Belisario Corenzio and Giambattista Caracciolo, w ...

, sculptures by Nicolò Carletti, Domenico Monterosso, and scholars of

Girolamo d'Auria Girolamo D'Auria (1577–1620) was an Italian sculptor, active mainly in Naples, Italy. His first name is variously used as Hieronymus, Ieronimo, Hieronimo, Jeronimo, Geronimo or Gerolamo. Girolamo's father, Giovanni Domenico D'Auria, and An ...

. The main altarpiece is by

Teodoro d'Errico Dirck Hendricksz (Amsterdam, 1544 – Amsterdam, 1618) was a Dutch-Italian painter. In Italy he was known as Teodoro d'Errico or Dirk Hendrici. He was engaged in painting mainly altarpieces and for churches in Naples from 1574 to 1606. Although bor ...

. The second chapel has paintings by Benedetto Torre. The third chapel has paintings by

Marco Pino Marco Pino or Marco da Siena (1521–1583) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance and Mannerist period. Born in Costalpino and first trained in Siena, he later worked in Rome and in Naples, where he died. He was putatively a pupil of the pain ...

and frescoes by Corenzio: the altar was designed by

Girolamo D'Auria Girolamo D'Auria (1577–1620) was an Italian sculptor, active mainly in Naples, Italy. His first name is variously used as Hieronymus, Ieronimo, Hieronimo, Jeronimo, Geronimo or Gerolamo. Girolamo's father, Giovanni Domenico D'Auria, and An ...

. The fourth chapel has paintings by

Giovanni Battista Beinaschi image:Benaschi-llanto por abel.JPG, ''The Deploration of Abel'', Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Madrid). Giovanni Battista Benaschi, or Beinaschi, (1636–1688) was an list of Italian painters, Italian painter and engraver active i ...

. The fifth chapel has paintings by

Giuseppe Marullo Giuseppe Marullo (died 1685, Naples) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active near his natal city of Orta di Atella.Santillo Sandini, while the altarpiece (1620) is attributed to

Francesco Balsimelli Francesco, the Italian language, Italian (and original) version of the personal name "Francis (given name), Francis", is the List of most popular given names, most common given name among males in Italy. Notable persons with that name include: Pe ...

. The sixth chapel was designed by Giuseppe Gallo with paintings by Francesco Antonio Altobello and

Onofrio de Lione Onofrio is an Italian surname derived from Onuphrius. Notable people with the surname include: *Vincent D'Onofrio Vincent Philip D'Onofrio (; born June 30, 1959) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his supporting and leading ro ...

; The seventh chapel, partially obstructed by the organ, has paintings by Santillo Sandini. The third chapel on the left is the largest in the church, and is called the Cappellone di San Giacomo della Marca, and hosts the preserved body of St

James of the Marches Jacob de Marchia ( la, Jacobus de Marchia, it, Giacomo della Marca; c. 1391 – 28 November 1476), commonly known in English as Saint James of the Marches, was an Italian Friar Minor, preacher and writer. He was a Papal legate and Inquisitor. E ...

. It was commissioned by Gonzalo di Cordova, called the great captain. The ceilings are frescoed by

Massimo Stanzione Massimo Stanzione (also called Stanzioni; 1585 – 1656) was an Italian Baroque painter, mainly active in Naples, where he and his rival Jusepe de Ribera dominated the painting scene for several decades. He was primarily a painter of altarpiece ...

, and depict the ''Miracles of the Saint'', including the procession by Neapolitans with his body to compel the volcano Vesuvius to stop its 1631 eruption. A number of warriors are memorialized or buried in this chapel, Amida of Tunis, who had been briefly installed as king by

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, french: Charles Quint, it, Carlo V, nl, Karel V, ca, Carles V, la, Carolus V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (Crown of Castile, Castil ...

, and died in exile in Naples by 1601; Francesco di Cordova, conqueror of Malta. Ferdinando di Cordova, nephew of Gonzalo commissioned sculptures from

Giovanni da Nola Giovanni da Nola (1478–1559), also known as Giovanni Merliano, was an Italian sculptor and architect of the Renaissance, active in Naples. He was born the son of a leather merchant, in Nola near Naples. Da Nola moved to Naples where he trained ...

for the tombs of the Captain and Pietro Navarro (despite his death by suicide), and Odette di Foix, a French general who died during the siege of the city, but found by Neapolitans, after having been buried unceremoniously by his troops.Napoli e i luoghi celebri delle sue vicinanze, Volume 1, 1845, page 533. The first chapel on the left has paintings by Scibelli; The second chapel on the left has frescoes by an unknown 16th century painter. The fourth chapel on the left has the Funereal Monument of Duke

Caracciolo Caracciolo () is an Italian surname most associated with the noble House of Carácciolo from the Kingdom of Naples. Other people with the name include: * Alberto Caracciolo, Argentinian musician * Andrea Caracciolo, Italian footballer * Battiste ...

di San Teodoro by Domenico Morante, a wooden statue by Michele Perrone and frescoes by Beinaschi; the fifth chapel on the left has paintings by

Giuseppe Castellano Giuseppe Castellano (September 12, 1893 in Prato – July 31, 1977 in Porretta Terme) was an Italian general who negotiated the Armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces on September 8, 1943. Biography Military career Of Sicilian descent ...

, Beinaschi, and de Lione ; the sixth chapel on the left has an altar by Pietro Nicolini, and paintings by

Giuseppe Mastroleo Giuseppe Mastroleo (died in Naples, 1744) was an Italian painter. Biography He was a pupil of Paolo De Matteis. He painted a St Erasmus for the church of Santa Maria la Nuova in Naples. He also painted for the Nunziatella The Nunziatella Militar ...

and

Andrea de Lione Andrea is a given name which is common worldwide for both males and females, cognate to Andreas, Andrej and Andrew. Origin of the name The name derives from the Greek word ἀνήρ (''anēr''), genitive ἀνδρός (''andrós''), that re ...

. The pulpit was sculpted by Balsimelli. The seventh chapel on the left, partially obstructed by the organ, has paintings attributed to an 8 year old

Luca Giordano Luca Giordano (18 October 1634 – 3 January 1705) was an Italian late-Baroque painter and printmaker in etching. Fluent and decorative, he worked successfully in Naples and Rome, Florence, and Venice, before spending a decade in Spain. Ear ...

. The church is a part of a larger monastic complex, much of which now houses municipal office space.

References

Sources

External links

Santa Maria La Nova - Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maria la Nova Naples Religious buildings and structures completed in 1620 17th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy Maria la Nova Renaissance architecture in Naples Museums in Naples 1620 establishments in the Spanish Empire 1620 establishments in Italy