Ex Chiesa e ex Convento di San Francesco, Romanesque monastery in Bobbio, Italy.
The Ex Chiesa e ex Convento di San Francesco is a Romanesque monastery complex featuring two cloisters with medieval stone columns supporting arches. The first cloister surrounds a garden space, while the refectory contains a Crucifixion fresco representing religious artwork from the medieval period.
Construction of this monastery began in 1233, establishing it as the earliest Franciscan convent in northern Italy. The land was granted to help resolve disputes among local religious authorities of that time.
The cloister displays medieval arches supported by stone columns that frame a central garden space. This layout reflects how the friars organized their daily life around prayer and contemplation within these connected rooms.
The complex is currently closed to visitors due to extensive restoration work needed for structural repairs and overgrowth issues. You can view the exterior Romanesque features from outside the building and grounds.
The monastery maintained independence until the 17th century, when it came under control of the Minor Friars Congregation of Bologna. This administrative shift marked a significant turning point in how the site was managed.
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