Polo Culturale di San Francesco

Saint Francis Cultural Centre is a multi-purpose complex realised by recovering and converting a Franciscan convent built in the 13th century. It includes:an auditorium, an archaeological museum, a library and reading room, a exhibition hall, an environmental education centre and a herb garden. It was reopened to the public on 23 September 2007, 10 years after the earthquake which had damaged it considerably. The Centre is an important example of Franciscan convent architecture. It was founded by the Franciscan monks Lucido and Matteo Beati, close followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. The church has borne well the overwriting of the different transformations carried out over time. The cycles of frescoes from the 15th century which are superimposed on layers below them blend well with the architecture of the 18th century wood and stucco altars. In the cloister you can stroll around the garden which has a selection of medicinal plants.