La Certosa di
S. Martino e
il museo nazionale
Carthusian Monastery of St. Martin and National Museum

This architectural complex is found on the edge of Vomero hill, affording a magnificent view over the city, the gulf and the islands.
Its distinctive profile, dominated by the mighty structure of  Castel Sant'Elmo, represents one of the most characteristic features of the Neapolitan landscape.
The monastery was begun in the Angevin era and completed under Queen Joan I in the second half of the 14th century.
The first architects to work on the building of the monastery were F. di Vito, T. da Camaino, A. Primario, M. di Malotto and B. de Baeza.
The complex was renovated in the late 16th century by G. A. Dosio, and completely transformed by G. G. Conforto and G. Fanzago who gave it its 17th century Neapolitan Baroque appearance.
The beautiful aisleless church is surprisingly rich in marble decoration and is justly considered a veritable art gallery.
Note in particular works by Massimo Stanzione (Deposition, Glory of St. Bruno); Ribera (Twelve Prophets, Deposition, Comunion of the Apostoles); G. B. Caracciolo (Stories of Mary, Washing of the Feet); Luca Giordano (Triumph of Judith).
Also worth mentioning is the "Chiostro Grande" (Large Cloister) by G. A. Dosio and C. Fanzago, and the "Chiostro dei Procuratori" (Procurators Cloister), also by Dosio.
The various rooms inside the Monastery house the Museo Nazionale di San Martino which offers an interesting view of the city's history and art between the 17th and 19th centuries.
The museum is divided into several sections, some of which are particularly interesting, such as those containing objects in porcelain and glass, fans and snuff-boxes; the naval section which includes several models of royal ships; the art gallery including works by Battistello Caracciolo, Salvator Rosa and Luca Giordano; the theatre section, with its portraits of musicians and opera singers, and its Pulcinella mask; and finally the section containing the Neapolitan "presepi" (nativity scenes).
This is particularly important because of its remarkable collection of Neapolitan shepherds, nativity scenes and entire representations of the nativity.
The shepherds are nearly all the work of prestigious craftsmen from the old 18th century Neapolitan school and are made with extreme accuracy from delicate ceramic and dressed in fine embroidered clothes made of silk or wool.
The most significant of these masterpieces is the Cuciniello Presepe (after the person who donated it) which is one of the most admired exhibits in the whole museum.
Also worth noting is the Ruffo Collection, a valuable private collection donated to the museum by representatives of the noble Calabrian family.
This includes jewellery, sacred vestments and decorations belonging to Cardinal Ruffo and his family, as well as several portraits from the French school.