Originally built in 1325 and rebuilt in the 17th century, this great monastery complex has been restored to its original beauty. Entering from the courtyard, you first come to the church, a masterpiece of baroque decoration, from the marble floor to the various works of art by artists such as Jusepe de Ribera (various paintings), Giuseppe Sanmartino (sculptures), and Battistello Caracciolo (frescoes). Do not overlook the marble transenna of the presbytery, decorated with precious stones (lapis lazuli and agate), and the Cappella del Tesoro, with a rich altar made of the same materials; beautiful frescoes by Luca Giordano -- including the Trionfo di Giuditta -- decorate the ceiling and you will also see a Deposizione by Jusepe de Ribera. The peaceful Chiostro Grande (the Great Cloister) encloses a smooth lawn; in the corner is the monk's graveyard, topped with creepy marble skulls. The Quarto del Priore -- the elegant apartment used for the reception of important personalities -- contains a number of masterpieces, including a Madonna col Bambino e San Giovannino by Pietro Bernini. The monastery also houses the Museo Nazionale di San Martino, which has several sections. One of our favorites is the one housing the presepi (Nativity scenes), off the Chiostro dei Procuratori. Some of these are extraordinarily complex, such as the presepio Cuciniello, created in 1879 with a collection of 18th-century figures and accessories. Other sections include the Images and Memories of Naples exhibit, on the first and second floors, displaying paintings, sculpture, porcelain, and precious objects, and the Collezione Rotondo, with paintings and bronze sculpures by Neapolitan artists of the 19th century. The Sezione Navale, or Maritime Museum, will appeal to kids who will love the displays of model ships and ship's instruments including the full-size Great Barge that was used by King Charles of Bourbon in the 1700s. In the Gothic cellars of the monastery, you will find sections dedicated to sculpture and epigraphy, while on the second floor is the library that houses the Prints and Drawings Collection, with over 8,000 pieces.