Certosa di San Giacomo
Encyclopedia
Certosa di San Giacomo is a Carthusian
monastery
on the island of Capri
founded in 1363 by Giacomo Arcucci. The charterhouse has three main areas: the pharmacy and women's church, the buildings for monks, and those for guests. The cloister (Chiostro Grande) is of a late Renaissance design, while the Chiostro Piccolo features Roman marble columns.
, established the charterhouse in 1371. He later became a monk himself in 1386.
In 1553 the monastery was restored and fortified and a tower was erected which collapsed in the 18th century.
There was often conflict between the islanders and the monks, who owned land as well as grazing and hunting rights. During the 1656 plague in Capri, the monks sealed themselves off, whereupon the islanders threw their corpses over the wall of the monastery in retribution.
Since 1974 the charterhouse houses the Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
museum among others and is used for cultural events. A high school is also on the premises.
Carthusian
The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. Bruno, is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monastics. The order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns...
monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
on the island of Capri
Capri
Capri is an Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, in the Campania region of Southern Italy...
founded in 1363 by Giacomo Arcucci. The charterhouse has three main areas: the pharmacy and women's church, the buildings for monks, and those for guests. The cloister (Chiostro Grande) is of a late Renaissance design, while the Chiostro Piccolo features Roman marble columns.
History
Count Giacomo Arcucci, a secretary to Joan I of NaplesJoan I of Naples
Joan I , born Joanna of Anjou, was Queen of Naples from 1343 until her death. She was also Countess of Provence and Forcalquier, Queen consort of Majorca and titular Queen of Jerusalem and Sicily 1343–82, and Princess of Achaea 1373/5–81....
, established the charterhouse in 1371. He later became a monk himself in 1386.
In 1553 the monastery was restored and fortified and a tower was erected which collapsed in the 18th century.
There was often conflict between the islanders and the monks, who owned land as well as grazing and hunting rights. During the 1656 plague in Capri, the monks sealed themselves off, whereupon the islanders threw their corpses over the wall of the monastery in retribution.
Since 1974 the charterhouse houses the Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach was a German painter and social reformer....
museum among others and is used for cultural events. A high school is also on the premises.