Complex of St Francis

The imposing church building, which was completely rebuilt in the 18th century, has endured a series of unfortunate historical vicissitudes. The first Napoleonic plundering – which saw the mysterious disappearance of a painting by Guercino dedicated to St Francis – and the return of the friars, who painstakingly restored the church, were followed by the definitive expropriation of the entire complex by the new Kingdom of Italy.

The church was first converted into military barracks and then into a municipal warehouse and fire station, undergoing demolition work and changes of use. Today, the spacious nave – restored without erasing the traces of its past vicissitudes – serves as a multi-purpose venue, where Corinthian capitals, Franciscan symbols and sections of wall featuring delicate 18th-century colours coexist with the stripped-out chapels, the holes and the charm of the archaeological finds that take us back in time to examine the floors from various eras.

The convent, with its beautiful cloister bearing clear traces of 15th-century architecture, also changed its purpose but was more appropriately converted into municipal schools at various levels. Following the earthquake and its renovation, the convent is now home to the “Fisica Experience” museum.