SAN FRANCESCO

Another important religious building is the Basilica di San Francesco, the earliest example of French-Gothic style in Italy.
It was built between 1236 and 1254.

This building is striking for its vertical rise, the slenderness of its apse and its impressive flying-buttresses.

Inside you can admire the splendid marble high altar piece, sculpted between 1388 and 1393 by Jacobello and Pier Paolo Dalle Masegne, besides the Alexander V's terracotta tomb made by Sperandio.




Going out of the church, you'll see two campanili: the smaller one dates back to 1260, while the taller one, an example of truly refined art, was built in the early Quattrocento (15th century).




Outside, behind the apse, you'll see some pyramid-shaped marble mausoleums dating back to the 13th century