Christmas in Naples 2013 | The Christmas edition at the Chiostro in Santa Chiara

This year the first edition of Christmas takes place at the Cloister, in the monastery of Santa Chiara, with bagpipers, concerts, pictorial exhibitions and a living nativity scene

The Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara is undoubtedly one of Naples' most important artistic and cultural heritages. One of the most beautiful songs in post-World War II Neapolitan music was dedicated to it, and it currently houses the city's largest Gothic basilica.

Inside is one of the most beautiful cloisters you can visit, and the events held here, especially religious ones, are truly diverse. This year, for the first time, thanks to a project conceived by the community of friars of the Monastery of Santa Chiara and under the artistic direction of Silvano Forte, the first edition of "Christmas at the Cloister" will take place.

This is a series of concerts and exhibitions that will begin on November 30, 2013, and end on January 6, 2014. During this period, it will be possible to watch traditional bagpipe players perform, listen to the sweet notes of violins and saxophones, lose yourself in the world of Christmas carols, and be captivated by art exhibitions and nativity scenes.

Let's see, however, in detail the program of this particular event.

Christmas program at the Cloister in the Santa Chiara complex

From November 30 to December 7 2013

Novena of the Immaculate Conception
The Ancia Libera bagpipers group will kick off the series of Christmas events at the Cloister. It is a formation that bases its music on traditional songs for bagpipes typical of Campania, whose mission is to recover and disseminate songs and music for bagpipes of our areas. In addition to bagpipes and ciaramella, the artists of Ancia Libera also play accordion, violin, percussion and soprano sax, along with other traditional instruments and are accompanied by a solo voice. Their repertoire includes religious and profane Christmas carols and, until 7 December, they will perform the Novena of the Immaculate Conception.
Working time: every day from 11.00

December 8, 2013

Concert of the Immaculate Conception
The traditional concert of the Immaculate Conception will be held on the day of the Immaculate Conception and it will always be performed by the Ancia Libera group.
Working time: 10.00-13.00

14, 21, 18 December 2013

Music… that passion!
Three more musical events for Christmas at the Cloister, consisting of two daily concerts. One will be performing musical family, the Gibbons Family group. The line-up is made up of the violinist father, Daniele, the pianist mother, Gerardina, and the three children who are also violinists, Annastella, Donatella, Giuseppe. Their repertoire varies from baroque to contemporary music and their history is rich in experience in Italy and abroad, as well as on TV. In addition, each member of the group performs a solo piece of a virtuoso character, usually by Paganini, with the mother accompanying on the piano.
Working time: 11.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.00

From December 3 2013 to January 6, 2014

Matter becomes matter
Until the end of the event, in the Cloister of Santa Chiara will be set up the pictorial exhibition of the master Raffaele Miscione, an artist who graduated from the State Institute of Art in Naples whose themes are always closely linked to our city and our history.

From December 6 2013 to January 6, 2014

Saint Francis and the places of his spiritual journey
For a whole month it will be possible to visit a pictorial exhibition on St. Francis that traces his entire spiritual journey. It will be set up in the Marble Hall of the Franciscan Opera Museum and will exhibit the works of numerous Italian and foreign artists who were inspired by the spiritual work and vow of poverty of St. Francis of Assisi.

On 4 January 2014

Night at the Museum
Only on 4 January will the museum prolong its opening until 21.00 hours. It will be possible to make guided tours organized and attend a further concert of the Gibboni Family.
Working time:

• opening up to 21.00
• Guided tours: at 18.00 and 19.00
• Concert: 19.30

5 and 6 January 2014

Living Nativity
In the last two days, a living nativity scene will be set up in the Cloister of San Francesco from the Parish of Santa Chiara. The days also include afternoon and evening musical performances.

Opening hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Useful information about Christmas at the Cloister

When: 30 November 2013 - 6 January 2014
Where: Monastery of Santa Chiara, via Santa Chiara 49
Price: 6 €

For more information about the Christmas at the Cloister event, you can visit the Santa Chiara monastery website or call 0815516673.

Finally, we remind you that the whole museum complex, which includes the Cloister, Museum, Archaeological Area and Crib of the '700, includes some extraordinary openings and closings. The following times:

Special openings
7 December: 9.30-19.00
8 December: 10.00 - 14.30
24 December: 9.30-14.30
26 December: 10.00 -14.30
31 December: 9.30 - 14.30
4 January: 9.30-21.00
5 and 6 January: 10.00-21.00
The last input is always 30 min. before closing

Closing days
25 December -1 January