Church of Saint Francis of Brescia

The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi was built in the 13th century in a style transitioning between Romanesque and Gothic. From the Romanesque period, it retains the bell tower and the beautiful façade with the marble portal and a large rose window.

Description and architecture

The interior is sober with its basilical plan with three naves, with a wooden roof at the
center. Its pictorial ornamentation is rich, notably on the right wall with portions of 14th- and 15th-century frescoes, including a Deposition in the style of Giotto and the beautiful scene with the Friars and Seculars. On this side there are altars with beautiful altarpieces and frescoes, works by Moretto, da Caravaggio, Romanino. Several works by the latter are found in the chancel and the apse, along with a 15th-century inlaid wooden choir by Filipo Morari of Soresina.
On the left, a crucifix dates from the 14th century.
The small cloister of the Madonina dates from the 15th century, and in the Renaissance sacristy the inlaid seats date from 1511, and there is a large silver cross from 1501.
The large cloister was built in 1394 by da Campione with columns of red Verona marble.
The church is also known for housing a mechanical nativity scene during the Christmas period.

Information

• Wikipedia articles: en.wikipedia.org
• Official website: www.sanfrancescobrescia.it

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