Entrance to San Francesco Church

The church with a single nave, the Gothic style is toned down to adapt to the message of simplicity of the Franciscan order. The ceiling with wooden panels painted in 1710 by Thomas Iaquinto was destroyed by a bomb in 1943. The floor has been renovated thanks to the donations of Mrs. Maturi, widow Mazziotti. Marble altars were built on both sides by the Fortebraccio, De Giglio, Manselli families who originally had tombstones in the church. On the side altars we see numerous paintings: S. Lucia, Madonna with S. Stefano, S. Caterina d’Alessandria, S. Antonio abate. Among the most important works we remember Madonna with child, S. Girolamo e S. Stefano proto-martyr autograph work by Fabrizio Santafede, from 1588.

The main altar, enriched with polychrome marble

The main altar, enriched with polychrome marble, houses in the center Pentecost by Giovanni Bernardino Azzolino (now conservator in the Sacristy), on the sides the canvases Moses saved from the waters e Judgment of Solomon.

Madonna of Grace XVIII

At the beginning of 2020, the restoration of the 18th century statue of the Madonna della Grazia was completed (once depicted in the church of the Caiatine cemetery) which was able to welcome the wooden statue of Jesus in her arms baby.

Traditionally the Madonna was invoked by the teachers before going to school by reciting a sonnet, asking and protecting:

 

Here, with discharged

forehead

o Passer will stop you

that of graces and & nbsp;

God

This is the Mother.

Mirala and, with heart

sincere,

pray

che’Ella, to her children

devotees

grace does not deny.

painting Santa Lucia

painting Madonna and childo

Detail of the Gothic vault