Tour of the Certosa
| Tour of the Certosa di San Giacomo | |||
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The Entry Passage Approaching the Certosa from Via Ignazio Cerio, turning left on Via Certosa, one reaches the Entry Passage, a sloping tree-lined avenue leading to the Main Gate of the Certosa. Part way down the avenue on the left, through an iron gate, is the entrance to the Seaside Garden of the Certosa (see below). Further down on the left, just before the main gate, is the entrance to the Chapel, above which may be seen the Lunette, a 14th century fresco depicting the founding of the Certosa by Count Giacomo Arcucci and Queen Giovanna I of Naples. The main gate of the Certosa leads through a curved stone archway in the base of the former Guard Tower to a passageway at the end of which, turning left, one may access the principal architectural elements of the Certosa complex |
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On the left, the Entry Passage
On the left, the passageway leading from the Main Gate to the Refectory and the Large Cloister
On the right, the Lunette above the entrance to the Chapel – for more information see "History of the Certosa" |
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The Chapel Dedicated to Saint James, the Chapel was formerly the principal church of the Carthusian monks residing at the Certosa. It is now used as a museum and venue for lectures, concerts and other events. The Chapel and its splendid frescoes were recently restored by a team of specialists led by Dr. Laura Giusti of the Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici e Paesagg-istici di Napoli e Provincia. In the summer of 2009, the Chapel formed the backdrop for a spectacular exhibition of site-specific art entitled Beneath the Cloth of Wisdom, Beyond the Keys of Heaven which was presented together with the dramatic production Changing Keys on the opening night of the 2009 International Arts Festival organised by the Friends. |
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On the left, the Chapel viewed from the Large Cloister
On the right, an interior view of the Chapel
On the left, the site specific performance Beneath the Cloth of Wisdom, Beyond the Keys of Heaven presented in the Chapel On the right, detail of one of the frescoes in the Chapel |
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The Small Cloister One of the architectural marvels of the Certosa, the elegant and intimate Small Cloister features ancient marble columns topped by Roman and Byzantine capitals. The cloister, dating back to the earliest days of the Certosa’s foundation, features superb acoustics and is frequently used as a venue for lectures, readings, films and concerts. The well in the centre of the cloister accesses cisterns originally used by the monks of the order to store drinking water. A majority of the events making up the 2009 International Arts Festival were held in the Small Cloister, which can accommodate up to 225 spectators.
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On the left, the Small Cloister On the right, the Guard Tower viewed from the Small Cloister
On the left, four oleander trees grace the interior of the Small Cloister On the right, one of the ancient marble capitals atop one of the columns |
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The Refectory Adjacent to the Small Cloister is the Refectory, where the monks of the order originally took their meals. It is used today as a museum housing works of the great nineteenth century German painter Karl Diefenbach, who made Capri his home in the late 1800's. Many of his large scale canvases, haunting images of the island he loved, are in need of restoration and a programme to restore them has been launched by the Soprinten-denza. One of the most recently restored Diefenbach paintings may be seen in the Saletta across the corridor from the Refectory. Last summer the Saletta provided the venue for a week-long exhibit of Beneath the Cloth of Wisdom, Beyond the Keys of Heaven, a site-specific performance commissioned by the Friends for the 2009 International Arts Festival. |
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On the right, the exhibit in the Saletta |
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The Large Cloister A short stairway leads from the Small Cloister to the Large Cloister, with its huge central space criss-crossed with walkways and surrounded by a colonnade. One of the largest enclosed spaces on the island, the Large Cloister provides spectacular views of the hills surrounding the town of Capri and often hosts large scale events such as musical concerts and films. Underneath the Large Cloister, hidden from view, is a spectacular complex of medieval cisterns used by the monks of the order to store drinking water. Access to the water stored in the cisterns was provided by a well situated in the southeast corner of the cloister. Arranged around the four sides of the cloister were the monks' cells. Today, the cloister houses a school and storerooms.
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On the right, view of the Large Cloister from Punta Cannone
On the right, an orchestral concert in the Large Cloister On the left, the austere square columns of the Large Cloister On the right, the well in the corner of the cloister |
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The Prior’s Apartments Adjacent to the Large Cloister are the Prior’s Apartments and Garden, originally the private quarters of the Prior of the order, now a museum and exhibition space. Recently restored, the Prior’s Apartments consist of a series of rooms with large windows and a balcony overlooking the sea and the famous Faraglioni Rocks. The rooms are used to house temporary art exhibits. The Prior's Garden is an oasis within the Certosa complex. Divided into four quadrants and planted with herbs, flowering shrubs and fruit trees typical of the island, the garden is a delightful, contemplative space much loved by visitors. |
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On the right, view from one of the windows
On the left, fruit trees and shrubs in the Prior’s Garden On the right, view of the Faraglioni Rocks from the balcony of the Prior’s Apartments |
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The Seaside Garden The rustic Seaside Garden of the Certosa is one of the hidden treasures of the monument. Reached by means of a shaded path, it provides spectacular vistas of the coastline and the Faraglioni Rocks from observation points perched above sheer cliffs falling to the sea below. In 1808, a Guard Tower constructed on a rocky outcrop adjacent to the garden collapsed and crashed into the sea. The debris from the collapse may still be seen in the sea below. Planted with wild plants native to Capri, including many species of cactus, this peaceful and beautiful spot is much beloved by visitors. In 2007 the Friends made a grant to help restore the Seaside Garden and its belvederes. |
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On the left, shade trees bent by the wind lend a special character to the garden On the right, view of the Faraglioni Rocks from one of the observation points
On the left, a view of the coastline from the seaside garden On the right, some of the native plants to be seen in the garden |
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