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The Church of St Francis in Rieti: where the Saint founded an oratory for the sick
In Rieti, the Church of San Francesco is more than a sacred building — it is a direct sign of St Francis's presence in his beloved Valle Reatina. He himself wished to establish a small oratory here, in the 13th century, in order to offer spiritual comfort to the patients of a nearby hospice. One of the most important Franciscan complexes in central Italy grew from that single act of charity.
A façade and the church’s struggle with the river
Its simple, austere Gothic façade conceals a detail that speaks of the city's centuries-long battle with the River Velino: an inscription on the portal recalls how, in 1635, the entire floor had to be raised to protect the church from frequent flooding. This is a tangible sign of the inextricable bond between the history of the city and that of the church.
Hidden treasures and dramatic stories
The interior, spacious and solemn, preserves both treasures and memories. Among them, a tombstone commemorates the tragic death of a bishop and his chaplains, murdered by brigands in 1296. The frescoes are truly astonishing: recent restoration work has brought to light decorations from the late 13th century, while behind the altar, in 1953, magnificent Franciscan Stories of the Giottesque school were discovered — today on display at the Pinacoteca Diocesana (Diocesan Art Museum).
