San Francesco, Gothic church in Gerace, Italy

San Francesco is a Gothic church in Gerace built in 1252 on the ruins of a Romanesque building. It has a single nave and a facade with a pointed-arch portal whose three archivolts carry Arab-Norman motifs, along with capitals and a swastika symbol representing the sun. Inside are a 17th-century polychrome marble high altar and a 1664 triumphal arch by Bonaventura Perna.

San Francesco was built in 1252 on the ruins of a Romanesque building, as part of a convent founded in the early 13th century by Daniele, a companion of Saint Francis. In 1806 the friars removed its artworks before the French confiscation, and from 1806 to 1897 it served as a prison, later housing a mill, an oil press and homes. Restoration began in 1951 and lasted over twenty years.

The church functions as both a museum and place of worship, where visitors can encounter medieval artworks and religious objects that reflect the spiritual life of this region across centuries.

The church is located in the center of Gerace and is accessible to visitors throughout the year. Since the town is small, parking is limited, so it is advisable to arrive early or leave your car outside the historic center.

The church was used as a prison between 1806 and 1897, then housed a mill, an oil press and homes before restoration began in 1951 and lasted over twenty years. The 1372 tomb of the warrior Nicola Ruffo, carved by a pupil of Tino da Camaino, shows the Virgin flanked by two angels and Saints Peter, Helen, Catherine and Paul.