Iglesia de San Francisco

The Iglesia de San Francisco stands outside the former citadel walls of Avilés and displays the transition between Romanesque and Gothic styles on its northern facade. The building features pointed arches and slender pillars typical of Gothic architecture, with an interior layout that reflects medieval religious requirements.

Construction of the building began in 1250, incorporating elements from an earlier pre-Romanesque temple that previously occupied the same location. This practice of building over older sacred sites was common in medieval Spain, allowing communities to preserve connections to their religious past.

The church is named after Saint Francis of Assisi and reflects the importance of Franciscan spirituality in this part of Spain. Walking through the interior, you notice how the simple design and layout served this religious community's way of worship.

Visiting during midday hours offers the best natural light to see the interior details and decoration clearly. The church is relatively compact, making it easy to explore all the important areas in a short amount of time from a single entry point.

Hidden within the church is a 17th-century cloister that protects a Romanesque chapter house dating to the 13th century. This layering reveals how later builders chose to preserve and surround earlier architectural achievements rather than replacing them entirely.