San Francesco Church, Roman Catholic church in Monterosso al Mare, Italy.
San Francesco Church sits on the hill of San Cristoforo, displaying traditional religious architecture with notable interior decorations and paintings. The building remains accessible through Salita San Cristoforo and is administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato.
Construction of the church and adjacent convent began in 1619 and was completed in 1622. Bishop Giovanni Battista Salvago consecrated the building in 1623, establishing it as a religious center for the region.
The church displays several artworks, including the Martyrdom of the Capuchin Saints and a Crucifixion painting attributed to Antoon van Dyck or a Ligurian artist. These pieces shape the visual character of the interior and demonstrate the artistic importance of the place to the local community.
The building can be reached on foot through the steep path of Salita San Cristoforo, which requires some effort. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the climb is demanding and allows time to explore the surroundings.
Restoration work in 2023 uncovered two 18th-century reliquaries hidden behind 17th-century paintings. These discoveries contained remains of Roman martyrs and revealed a hidden chapter in the building's story.
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