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The Church of St Francis in Acquapendente: a Franciscan history and the secrets of its cloister
The Church of San Francesco is located in the heart of Acquapendente, along the Via Francigena. Originally founded as the parish church of Santa Maria (St Mary) and consecrated in 1149, it became a Franciscan landmark from 1253 onwards. Its simple façade conceals a late 16th-century Franciscan cloister, whose frescoed lunettes tell unexpected stories, some of them painted by local artist Francesco Nasini.
The ancient and modern façade
The entrance is framed by a portal in white and pink stone, with a three-lobed arch sheltering a fresco of the Assumption. Higher up, one detail catches the eye and gives pause for thought: a rose window in reinforced concrete, a 20th century addition. Alongside it is the Renaissance bell tower, built in 1506.
The fresco cycle by Nasini
But it is the cloister that holds the true surprise. Its walls narrate the life of St Francis through a fresco cycle completed around 1645. Many of these works are by Francesco Nasini, a 17th-century painter. His work here was inspired by a vow made by the city to St Anthony of Padua in gratitude for having been spared the plague of 1631.
Today, part of the former convent houses the City Museum’s Picture Gallery. For visiting hours for both the church and the museum, it is always advisable to check with the local tourist office or the official websites of the Municipality and the Diocese, as these may be subject to change.
