CHIESA DI SAN FRANCESCO D'ASSISI (FORIO)
Latest update: 19 March 2022
CHIESA DI SAN FRANCESCO D'ASSISI (FORIO)
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Constructed: 1646
Style: Baroque
Location: Piazza Municipio, Forio
Founded in 1646 in fulfilment of a vow by the people of Forio with the support of the local university, the Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi was constructed after an outbreak of the plague, along with a monastery alongside, for the Franciscan monks. However, with the unification of Italy in 1866 and the suppression of monasteries, this building became the Municipal Headquarters, as it is still today. The frescoes of Filippo Balbi painted in 1835, which decorated the cloisters, have now completed faded and there is nothing left of them.
The façade of the church itself next door, is curiously blank, having only a stone entrance with a rectangular window above and access is directly from the Piazza Municipio, without the formality of steps to the entrance.
Constructed of tufa stone and white stucco, the interior is richly decorated, with the Corinthian order and round headed arches, defining the 4 nave bays, with chapels on the south side. The beautiful old ceramic floor tiles are worth noting. The vaulted nave, with its floral and conch shell motifs is particularly impressive. Clerestory windows help to light the interior and at the eastern end, a large curving window, filled with modern stain glass is an unusual focal point.
Paintings to note are the ‘Stations of the Cross’ by an unknown 18th c artist, The very large late 17th c painting behind the main altar depicts ‘The Madonna giving the Rule to S. Francis’ signed by Giuseppe Simonelli. Also at this end of the church are two paintings by Carlo Ferrazzano 1778, representing ‘The Nativity’ and ‘The Birth of S. Francis. The polychrome marble altar is dated 1745 and the wooden choir stalls for the monks were erected at a similar time
On the north side of the choir is a large 16th c painting on panel of ‘The Immaculate Conception by Marco Pino.
In the 4 chapels on the south side of the church are a series of early 18th c paintings by Filippo Ceppaluni. Finally, there is a 17th c painting in the Sacristy of a Pieta by Mattia Preti of Naples, which is worth looking at for its colour, light and great sense of pathos. Viewing by special arrangement.
Style: Baroque
Location: Piazza Municipio, Forio
Founded in 1646 in fulfilment of a vow by the people of Forio with the support of the local university, the Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi was constructed after an outbreak of the plague, along with a monastery alongside, for the Franciscan monks. However, with the unification of Italy in 1866 and the suppression of monasteries, this building became the Municipal Headquarters, as it is still today. The frescoes of Filippo Balbi painted in 1835, which decorated the cloisters, have now completed faded and there is nothing left of them.
The façade of the church itself next door, is curiously blank, having only a stone entrance with a rectangular window above and access is directly from the Piazza Municipio, without the formality of steps to the entrance.
Constructed of tufa stone and white stucco, the interior is richly decorated, with the Corinthian order and round headed arches, defining the 4 nave bays, with chapels on the south side. The beautiful old ceramic floor tiles are worth noting. The vaulted nave, with its floral and conch shell motifs is particularly impressive. Clerestory windows help to light the interior and at the eastern end, a large curving window, filled with modern stain glass is an unusual focal point.
Paintings to note are the ‘Stations of the Cross’ by an unknown 18th c artist, The very large late 17th c painting behind the main altar depicts ‘The Madonna giving the Rule to S. Francis’ signed by Giuseppe Simonelli. Also at this end of the church are two paintings by Carlo Ferrazzano 1778, representing ‘The Nativity’ and ‘The Birth of S. Francis. The polychrome marble altar is dated 1745 and the wooden choir stalls for the monks were erected at a similar time
On the north side of the choir is a large 16th c painting on panel of ‘The Immaculate Conception by Marco Pino.
In the 4 chapels on the south side of the church are a series of early 18th c paintings by Filippo Ceppaluni. Finally, there is a 17th c painting in the Sacristy of a Pieta by Mattia Preti of Naples, which is worth looking at for its colour, light and great sense of pathos. Viewing by special arrangement.
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