San Francesco, Gothic church in Pistoia, Italy

San Francesco is a Gothic church in Pistoia featuring a spacious nave with a wooden ceiling typical of Tuscan design. Its walls are covered with religious frescoes that tell stories of saints and biblical events across different periods.

Construction began in 1289 when Franciscan friars moved here from another church to serve their expanding community. This relocation marked an important transition for the Franciscan presence in Pistoia.

This church served as the spiritual heart for the Franciscan order in Pistoia, reflecting how the movement shaped local religious practice. Visitors can sense how the community gathered here for worship and how the decoration with religious scenes reinforced their faith and values.

The church is open during morning hours, so plan your visit accordingly to ensure you have enough time to explore. Guided tours are available to help you understand the architectural features and the detailed artwork inside.

The chapter hall frescoes are by Antonio Vite and were painted between 1386 and the end of the 14th century, not the 13th century. The main chapel's Stories of Saint Francis, uncovered in the 1920s, were long given to Puccio Capanna on Vasari's authority; critics now attribute them to the Bolognese painter Dalmasio degli Scannabecchi, commissioned by the merchant Bandino dei Ciantori.