Church of St. Francis

The original church dedicated to the Saint of Assisi was built in 1249 and traces of it can be found in the façade. According to popular tradition, the poor man of Assisi had found hospitality in Meldola on his way to La Verna. The current church was built in 1670 at the behest of Father Bartolomeo Mastri. Adjacent to the church is the cloister built in the age of the Counter-Reformation. The construction incorporated the structures of a double loggia belonging to the pre-existing medieval convent. Inside you can admire numerous works of art:

High altar – Crucifix painted on a panel, from the Rimini school (first half of the 15th century);

I^ chapel on the left – Madonna and Blessed Andrea da Meldola, fresco by anonymous from Romagna (second half of the 15th century) and Immaculate Conception, polychrome wooden statue (1688);

I^ chapel on the right – altarpiece and side paintings by Giuseppe Marchetti, Madonna del Fuoco between Saints Michael the Archangel and Dorothea, Saints Mercurial and Francis of Paola, Saints Francis of Sales and Antonio of Padua (c. 1790).

How to get there: Located in the historic centre of Meldola.

Additional notes: It celebrates the Feast of St. Francis (October 4th) on the first Sunday of October and the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th) on the Sunday closest to March 19.