Chiesa di San Francesco, church in Chiusi
The Chiesa di San Francesco is a church in Chiusi, Tuscany, built in the early 13th century with Gothic architecture featuring pointed arches and slender columns. The interior has a simple single nave layout with small side altars, religious sculptures, and wall paintings from the 1500s and 1600s.
According to tradition, the church was founded after Saint Francis visited the area in 1212, with construction of the current building beginning in the early 13th century. The site itself has deeper roots, as it previously held a church dedicated to Saint Michael, and is thought to have been an Etruscan temple in ancient times.
The church is dedicated to Saint Francis, a figure revered in Italy for his message of simplicity and kindness. Local people gather here on Sundays and during religious festivals, making it a center for community faith and shared traditions.
The church is located on Piazza XX Settembre in the heart of Chiusi and is easy to reach on foot while exploring the town. It offers a quiet space to spend time inside, away from busy streets, and its central location makes it a natural stop when walking through the area.
The church entrance features a Romanesque stone portal with columns believed to be from the 10th century, and the decorative arch above the door is actually the top of an ancient Roman tomb. Notably, the church once held the legendary wedding ring of the Virgin Mary until a Franciscan monk stole it in 1473 and left it in Perugia, where it remains today.
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