San Francesco, building in Popoli, Italy
San Francesco is a baroque church in Popoli that combines elements from different architectural periods including Romanesque and Gothic styles. The facade features a romanesque portal guarded by two stone lions, a Renaissance rose window with the coat of arms of the Cantelmo family in the center, and nine statues of saints arranged across the front.
The church was first documented in 1334 as a Franciscan property in the territory and initially stood outside the walls of Popoli. After an earthquake in 1688, the facade was rebuilt in baroque style between 1688 and 1689, and the bell tower received its distinctive onion dome in 1714.
The building is named after Saint Francis of Assisi and reflects the devotion of the local community through its interior decoration and layout. The single nave with four side chapels on each side served as the spiritual center of daily life for residents over the centuries.
The church sits on Piazza della Libertà in the center of Popoli and is easily reached from other historic buildings nearby. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes for the eight steps at the entrance and allow time to observe the interior decorations, frescoes, and ceramic panels throughout the space.
Above the main portal stands a statue of Saint George on horseback piercing a dragon, which served as a symbol of honor for the Cantelmo family. This unusual iconography for a Franciscan church reveals how noble families expressed their worldly power through religious buildings.
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