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The Basilica of San Francesco alla Rocca in Viterbo: the Gothic Jewel next to the Papal Palace
The Basilica of San Francesco (St Francis) stands at the foot of the hill in Viterbo beneath the Rocca (Fortress), a short distance from the majestic Palazzo dei Papi (Palace of the Popes). Erected in 1237 at the behest of Pope Gregory IX, together with the adjoining convent, it is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Tuscia. A place imbued with history, art and spirituality, for eight centuries inextricably bound to the fortunes of the city and the papacy.
A History of Earthquakes and Reconstructions
The original building, in Romanesque style, was consecrated in 1253 by Pope Innocent IV. But already in the second half of the 13th century it underwent radical transformations in a Gothic direction. The earthquake of 1315 necessitated restoration work, when the presbytery with a polygonal apse was added. Over the centuries the basilica has been enriched by the works of painters such as Cesare Nebbia, author of the Adoration of the Shepherds, and Sebastiano del Piombo, who painted a moving Pietà there around 1516.
Popes, Saints and Works of Art
Beneath the ribbed vaults of the church lie two popes who made history: Clement IV, who canonised St Hedwig here in 1268, and Adrian V, who was buried here in 1276 after a mere 38 days of pontificate. The naves, divided by massive quatrefoil pillars, house cycles of paintings depicting the stories of St Francis and St Lawrence, patron saint of Viterbo. In the apse, the wooden choir with 80 stalls dominates, a masterpiece of carving executed in 1450 by Master Apollonio.
A Complex in the Heart of the City
Today the basilica, with its simple Romanesque façade dominated by a large window and lateral buttresses, is an integral part of Viterbo's historic centre. The churchyard, nestled between the side of the Palazzo Papale and the buildings of Via San Lorenzo, is a peaceful and contemplative space a stone's throw from the animated streets of the medieval quarter. It is an invitation to cross the threshold of this treasure trove of beauty, and discover eight centuries of art and faith.
