Things to see · Churches and sanctuaries
Church of San Francesco, Potenza
Potenza (Potenza)
Church of San Francesco, Potenza is in Potenza, province of Potenza. Opening hours: Open for worship; visits outside services. Admission: Free.
- Free.
- Open for worship; visits outside services.
About this place
The church of San Francesco is one of the oldest Franciscan complexes in Basilicata, in the historic centre of Potenza. It was founded in the 13th century, a few decades after the death of Saint Francis: the traditional date is 1274.
What to see
• The façade, tall and built of squared stone, with its large rose window.
• The portal from the 16th century, with the monogram of San Bernardino da Siena and, on the left side, the entrance to the 16th-century cloister.
• The tomb of Donato De Grasis, in stone, dating from 1534.
• The frescoes: the Martyrdom of San Sebastiano by Giovanni Todisco da Abriola, from the 16th century, and the small 14th-century frescoes of Santa Chiara and San Francesco.
• The Madonna del Terremoto, a highly venerated 14th-century icon, and the canvases by Pietrafesa, including the Pietà of 1608 in the sacristy.
• The bell tower, of 14th-century origin.
Useful information
• It is a church still open for worship: visit quietly, outside of services.
• A few steps away are the church of San Michele Arcangelo and the Teatro Stabile.
