The Poor Sisters of Santa Chiara have been living in Pollenza since late 13th century. The nuns moved to the monastery on April 30, 1556, thanks to the generous Giovanni Greco from Tolentino, who bequeathed his own villa so that, after being transformed into a monastery, a church dedicated to St. Joseph would be built. The works were finished in 1562. Because of the suppression of the religious orders in the nineteenth century, the nuns had to leave the cloister and worked in a religious institute for young girls. In 1942 they returned to the Monastery, accepting cloistered convent’s life. In 1985 the Church became a diocesan shrine.
The Church has an impressive portal decorated with bas-reliefs; it has three aisles and houses wooden altars in Baroque style, one of which contains the mortal remains of the martyr St. Hyacinth; the altarpiece depicting the Death of St. Joseph is pretty valuable.
The Monastery is now inhabited by a community of Poor Clare Sisters. It has a guest house next to the church and can provide accommodation. There’s also a private garden.
It can accommodate groups of young people for retreats and training activities. The nuns can prepare party favors for weddings and First Holy Communions; they do embroidery and make desserts, such as almond toast and cakes.