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Convento San Francesco City-Center Lodgings - Historic Residence |
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"When I arrived at the monastery, I was welcomed by an intense wonder. From my little room I could see a great scene: the whole city and its gulf in front of my eyes."
from the diary of Fra Guglielmo da Entrevaux, 1612
If you have ever been to Naples you know the city is spread like colorful icing along the sides of a gently sloping crater that forms a bowl above the magnificent bay. To the south of this unforgettable spectacle is the massive summit of Mount Vesuvius, and because of this, the northern part of the city enjoys the best views, encompassing the entire city, the silvery bay, the island of Capri, and the volcano with its perpetual plume of smoke. At the very top of this slope is a large convent called San Martino, and just below it is a little paradise named after St. Francis.
The spiritual nature of this hilltop began in the mid-1500s, when a poor friar converted a cave into a hermit's cell. Not long thereafter a group of local monks enlarged the cave and formed a monastery. Over the centuries the building was further expanded and passed from one order to another, serving once as an arsenal and fortress from which a mob of exasperated peasants bombarded and defeated their Spanish rulers. During the 17th century, after a plague killed as many as 100,000 Neapolitans, the miraculous remains of Santa Rosalia were deposited in the monastery, and the pestilence ended almost at once.
Generations of pious monks have resided in the building, spending long hours in prayer and meditation in their cells, each of which was adorned with the portrait of one of their ancient brethren. Among these was Giovan Giuseppe della Croce, who spent 12 years before dying and being buried here. In 1789 he was named a saint, and soon thereafter became one of Naples' patron saints. His cell has been kept as it was when he used it, and may be visited. Santa Maria Francesca also lived and is buried in the complex.
Today, after many years of bureaucratic delays and astronomical expenditures, the complex has been converted into an elegant hotel with 44 rooms. Much of the original monastery has been preserved and can be visited by guests. This includes the exquisite refectory where the monks took their meals, and the ancient bakery where they worked round the clock to produce bread for the starving multitudes of their city, and the secret passageways with their Vietri tile staircases, and the wine cellars, whose naïve frescoes depicting the various stages of the grape have been lovingly restored. The portraits of the monks are still there above the guestroom doors, but once you step over the threshold, the similarities between the spartan monastery and the refined hotel come to an end.
No two rooms here are alike, but all have the original tile floors and vaulted ceilings. Modern amenities like satellite TV, radio, electronic safe and complimentary mini-bar are hidden behind gilded screens. There are also direct-dial telephones, Internet access, and air conditioning. Spacious bathrooms have hair dryers and whirlpool tubs or massage showers. All bedrooms and bathrooms have windows overlooking the city and the sea.
As comfortable as the rooms are, perhaps the most delightful aspects of this exclusive retreat are not to be found there. To find out for yourself what we mean, please step into the elevator and press the number 7. Up you go, and very soon we bet you'll be catching your breath as the glass cage emerges into thin air and ascends giddily above the city, in Eiffel Tower fashion. When you step out, you are in a magic garden, beautifully landscaped with Mediterranean shrubs, herbs, olive and palm trees. Terracotta terraces lined with plush sofas and shaded by umbrellas allow you to read a book, sip a cocktail or enjoy a delicious lunch while gazing at the panorama. Or you can step over to the side of the mountain, right in front of the monk's erstwhile cave, and discover the prettiest swimming pool in Naples. When we visited in mid-October, a few lucky guests were soaking up the sun and floating in the turquoise waters, and perhaps meditating about the beauties of the universe, much as the monk did so many hundreds of years ago.
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For this property:
A child 0-6 years of age sleeps free of charge in its parents' double room. A baby crib is free of charge and must be reserved at time of booking.
The hotel is in a residential neighborhood about 20 minutes from the harbor. It is easily reached by cable car or taxi.
Garage parking is available 500 yards away for 25-30 Euro/night.
The hotel offers room service, a quiet cocktail lounge in the courtyard, and an excellent restaurant in the garden.
Click here for information about regular boat service between Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Agropoli and Cilento.
Click here for information about private transfers to the property.
Please note that it is not possible to guarantee Internet access at any property, because the property does not generate the service, it merely provides access from a server. If the server experiences any kind of problem at all, the property regrets it cannot be responsible for any inconvenience caused by subsequent lack of service.
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