Not quite as high on the Vomero hill as the Castel Sant'Elmo is the Certosa di San Martino, a Carthusian monastery that was originally established in the 14th Century. The Carthusians, also known as the Order of St. Bruno, have been a monastic order since the 11th Century. Their practice has been for members to lead a hermitlike existence, living in isolated quarters and only infrequently encountering other people, even within the order. Though the order is not as popular as it once was, there are still a number of Carthusian monasteries (known in English as charterhouses) scattered around the world. The Certosa di San Martino is a monastery no longer, having been deconsecrated by the French in 1806. It has been open to the public as a museum since 1866.

The monastery is extensive, with a church and two cloisters, one of which is very large. Like the castle, it was not hard to find, as there was a nice view of it from the castle wall.

Monastery from Castel Sant'Elmo Med   Lrg

The Church Med   Lrg

On exiting the castle grounds the same way we’d entered, we just turned right and found the monastery entrance at the end of the road. They accepted the ArteCard too, but we did have to pay the half price.

Via Tito Angelini Toward Monastery Entrance Med   Lrg

Monastery Entrance and Soccer Practice Med   Lrg

Just across a courtyard from the entrance is the church. The church underwent changes through the centuries and now has extensive baroque decorations, as well as nicely decorated subsidiary rooms connected to it.

Entrance to Church Med   Lrg	Bob Near Main Altar Med   Lrg
Main Altar Med   Lrg	Main Altar and Chapels MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV
Ceiling Med   Lrg	Philip and Front Door Med   Lrg
Statue Med   Lrg	Side Chapels MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV
Subsidiary Rooms MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV	Philip in Subsidiary Room Med   Lrg
Decoration in Subsidiary Room Med   Lrg	Pillow Thing Med   Lrg
Water Dispenser MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV	Wood Decoration Med   Lrg

The cloisters are also embellished, though the elements have taken a toll and they could use some fixing up. The larger cloister is the site of the monks’ graveyard, which is located in a corner and is surrounded by a balustrade topped by marble skulls, presumably to graphically designate the area's purpose, and possibly to remind the monks of their mortality.

The Clerks' Cloister MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV	Main Cloister and Graveyard Balustrade Med   Lrg
Skull on Balustrade Med   Lrg	Main Cloister MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV-HD
Connie and Central Cistern Med   Lrg	Statue Med   Lrg
Nella and Bob on Walkway Med   Lrg	Creepy Sculpture Med   Lrg

In its capacity as a museum, the Certosa also displays Neapolitan artworks and historical pieces, some of which (like carriages and boats) are very sizable.

Artworks MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV	Decorated Room MP4-Sml   MP4-Med   WMV
Carriage Med   Lrg	Bob and Boat Med   Lrg
Stern of Boat Med   Lrg	Guns Med   Lrg

There is also an impressive collection of elaborate nativity scenes.