The Complex
The convent complex
The building that houses the museum is the convent complex of the Annunziata, built on top of a small hill on land granted to the Capuchin friars in 1568; perhaps, on the same site there had previously stood a small chapel dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
The construction phases of the convent continued until the end of the seventeenth century, when the Capuchins obtained full possession of the land from the Archbishop's Mensa of Naples, owner of the grounds. Francesco Balzano tells us that, after the eruption of 1631, the convent was partly restored and enlarged with the construction of a “library” by Father Dionisio da Napoli. A book collection certainly already existed in the convent by that date, and after 1631 it was organised within the library; over the centuries this library was enriched with very important printed volumes and manuscripts. After the suppression of the convent in 1867, the books were still kept on site, while the historic building passed to the State property administration and later to the Municipality of Torre del Greco.
In 1867 the Conservatory of the Holy Trinity moved there. Founded in 1759, its original seat had been destroyed by the eruption of 1794. Under the guidance of the Franciscan nuns, the conservatory made the care and reception of orphan girls its primary purpose, thus becoming the Orphanage of the Holy Trinity.
In 1896 the historian Francesco Castaldo was commissioned by the Municipality to organise and draw up an inventory of the library; in 1927 the volumes were transferred to the municipal premises. In 1935 the church was returned to worship and elevated to parish status.