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The Church of St Francis in Anguillara: the art of the 15th century and a mystery to be solved
Just a short walk from the town of Anguillara Sabazia, the plain façade of the Church of San Francesco conceals one of the most remarkable fresco cycles in 15th-century art in the Lazio region. Its history is a small puzzle: most likely built in the 13th century, it was completed by the Franciscans only after 1468, and consecrated in 1488. But the true secret is bound up with the frescoes of Domenico Velandi.
A small artistic mystery
The apse, entirely frescoed in 1488, is the heart of the church. The work is attributed to Viterbo-born painter Domenico Velandi, though with a caveat. This attribution rests solely on stylistic comparisons, because the only signed work that could confirm the author with certainty — a panel once held in Kraków — is today considered lost. It is a mystery that remains unsolved.
From past to present
Along the walls, figures of saints associated with the plague can be made out, such as Roch and Sebastian, a reminder of when the building also served as a hospital. Yet the dialogue with time has never ceased. On a side altar, a modern and deeply moving "Shroud" donated by international artist Pedro Cano is on display — an honorary citizen who lived and worked here for decades.
The church is an active place of worship, and is part of the Fondo Edifici di Culto (FEC). Religious services are held regularly. For visits outside Mass times or for cultural events, it is advisable to consult the website of the Parrocchia Santa Maria Assunta or the Municipality of Anguillara Sabazia.
