The Provincial Art Gallery of Santa Chiara is located in the monastic complex of Santa Chiara, in the heart of Cosenza’s old city between Santa Chiara and Antonio Serra streets and very close to Corso Telesio. It also houses the Library of the Province of Cosenza. Once dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena, since 1578 the church became the second Cosenza site for the nuns of the Order of Poor Clares. The Monastery of Santa Chiara was among the wealthiest in the city of Cosenza thanks to the income from houses and shops scattered throughout various districts of the historic center; it also enjoyed rights and privileges granted by Queen Joanna and King Ferrante, and later confirmed by King Philip II on important occasions such as the fairs of Saint Augustine and Maddalena. The complex is adjacent to the Giostra Nuova, whose nerve center was in what is now Piazza XV Marzo—the hub of city life and commerce in the 16th century, and the site of the city’s major and most significant architectural and artistic enterprises up to the present day.
The Gallery consists of a large exhibition hall arranged on two levels, allowing visitors to tour the museum either freely or with the assistance of guides. Thanks to portable panels, the Gallery is a versatile space suitable for various types of temporary events. In the exhibition hall, the dome that once covered the ancient church of Santa Chiara remains visible, demonstrating the strong connection between the contemporary exhibitions and the age-old nature of the site. The Santa Chiara Art Gallery also features additional exhibition rooms on the lower levels, conference spaces, and areas suitable for creative and educational workshops.
Information about Provincial Art Gallery S. Chiara
Corso Bernardino Telesio
Cosenza (Cosenza)
+39 0984814525
cosenzacentro@groupama.it
https://www.artinprogress.it
Source: MIBACT
