THE CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO

The church of San Francesco, erected in the Romanesque-Gothic style in about the 13^th century, has undergone various transformations in the course of the centuries, particularly at the end of 19^th century after the severe earthquake of 1873. In the back part of the vestry, originally apse of the right aisle, we find the very important “Crucifixion” of the Giottesque school of Rimini (14^th century) and a number of other frescoes of 15^th century. The Church also houses the “Madonna della Colonna” (Our Lady of the

Column), a fresco removed from a column of the church of San Giacomo (now church of the Carità). Now conserved in a processional chest, the work is attributed to the Maestro of the Dormitio of Terni. 
Coming from the church of Santa Maria (at present closed due to restoration works) the remarkable statue which goes under the name of “Madonna della Tempesta” (Our Lady of the Storm); the statue, carved on wood covered by polychrome chalk, is one of the finest examples of 14^th century sculpture of the Marches.

Photo: Giorgio Semmoloni