 Today the adjacent monastery is a meeting site and hosts the Museo ARCA of modern religious art.Since the early 13th century, a Franciscan monastery, named "Santa Maria ad Palatium" had existed nearby, but by 1268, was demolished in order for Charles of Anjou decided to build his Castel Nuovo (new castle), or Maschio Angioino.By 1279, the Friars were granted this site to build a new church, hence "la Nova".