Can the faith of a single family withstand the siege of centuries?

Prepare to descend into the heart of Angevin Naples, where the divine met the dynastic in an extraordinary act of devotion. This is not merely a history; it is an epic account of sacrifice, power, and the enduring spiritual force of the Franciscan order. For the first time, journey through the sacred stones of the Basilica di Santa Chiara, built by kings to secure their souls and glorify God. Witness the breathtaking splendor of its 14th-century Gothic origins, designed to house the sacred remains of monarchs and the living sacrifice of the Poor Clares. Discover the forgotten stories of the royal necropolis, where the prayers of the cloistered sisters were meant to guide the souls of the departed to eternal glory.

The Basilica stood for centuries as a testament to the seamless unity of Church and Crown, but the path of sanctity is rarely smooth. Travel with us to the catastrophic moment when all that glorious artistry-the Baroque embellishments, the frescoes, the intricate marble-was nearly annihilated. Relive the horror of the 1943 bombing that reduced the holy space to smoking rubble, a fiery trial that tested the faith of an entire city. This book meticulously traces the agonizing decision that followed: to abandon the ruin or to embark on a radical rebirth, restoring the church to the sublime, severe simplicity of its medieval founding, echoing the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare themselves.

The Shadow of the Angevins offers an unparalleled exploration of sacred architecture as a form of unwavering prayer. It reveals the profound spiritual lessons embedded in every stone-lessons of humility, resilience, and the power of tradition to reclaim the future from the ashes of destruction. From the majesty of the Royal Tombs to the quiet solitude of the Majolica Cloister, you will be given an intimate view into the complex where faith endured, not just survived. This narrative is a call to all who cherish the ancient, immutable truths of our Catholic heritage.

Part of the "Pilgrimage to the Sacred: Italy's Holy Shrines" series, this volume is a necessary addition to the library of any serious devotee. It provides the deep historical and theological context that turns a mere visit into a true pilgrimage. Read it, study it, and let the unwavering spirit of Santa Chiara fortify your own faith.

What sacred sites, forged in the crucible of history, truly light the way to salvation today?