Ex Chiesa di San Francesco, Romanesque church in San Gimignano, Italy.
The ex Chiesa di San Francesco is a Romanesque church in San Gimignano featuring a facade with a blind gallery of five rounded arches supported by slender travertine columns. The preserved medieval stonework remains visible along Via San Giovanni for visitors to explore.
The building began in the early 13th century as a hospital for pilgrims dedicated to Saint John before changing its function. This shift to church use represented a major turning point in how the complex served the community.
The building displays features of Pisan-Lucchese Romanesque style created by local craftspeople using regional stone. This architectural language connects it visually to other medieval structures throughout the town.
The building is located on Via San Giovanni and remains freely accessible to visitors. The Romanesque facade with its characteristic arch details can be viewed and photographed directly from the street.
The facade survived demolition in 1787 and underwent restoration in the 20th century, preserving its visual identity across centuries. This survival against destruction makes it a rare witness to the town's original architectural character.
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