Church and Cloister of San Francesco

The Church of San Francesco

The Franciscan Church of Santa Maria, later known as the Church of San Francesco, is a medieval building consecrated in 1149 by Bishop Aldobrandini. Built around the 13th century, when the Franciscan friars settled in Acquapendente, the church was part of a monastery inhabited until a few decades ago by the Conventual Franciscan friars.
The church’s faҫade is simple, reflecting the Franciscan style characterized by austerity and sobriety. The entrance features a large portal framed in white and pink stone, topped by a trilobed arch containing a fresco of the Assumption of Mary that is still quite legible. Above the portal, a concrete rose window in reinforced concrete is positioned at the center of the faҫade.

The interior consists of a single nave. Large side pillars, decorated with floral capitals, support a large cornice that, in turn, sustains the vault. Smaller pillars support an arch, creating six side chapels that house various significant works of art, including Renaissance frescoes and altarpieces, as well as finely crafted wooden sculptures. 

The Cloister of San Francesco

Adjacent to the church is the Cloister, a true architectural jewel. The original cloister dates back to the late Middle Ages, but the current, larger one was built at the end of the 16th century. The cloister has a quadrangular shape, surrounded by a portico with rounded arches supported by stone columns. The lunettes are frescoed with scenes from the life of St. Francis, some of which were created by Francesco Nasini, a 17th-century painter from nearby Piancastagnaio. At the center of the cloister lies a small garden, a peaceful retreat perfectly reflecting the Franciscan spirit.

The cloister was the heart of monastic life, where the friars gathered for prayer and meditation. Despite undergoing restoration several times over the centuries, the complex has retained much of its original structure. Today, the Church and Cloister of San Francesco are not only places of worship but also important historical and cultural landmarks for visitors to Acquapendente.