Ravello’s Chiostro San Francesco (Church of San Francesco) dates back to the 13th century. Named after Italy’s patron saint, Francis of Assisi, the church and convent contains ancient manuscripts and hosts regular music concerts.
St. Francis is said to have passed through Ravello and visited the church in 1222 on his way to venerate the relics of St. Andrew. Before that, an earlier church on this site was dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
Admire the church’s Baroque features. The current facade replaced the original Gothic style after restorations in 1700.
Don’t be deceived by the small size of the church, as you’ll find plenty to see and do. Start at the high altar, where an urn contains the remains of a Franciscan priest and missionary. The Blessed Bonaventura of Potenza died in Ravello in 1711 and was buried here. See more memorabilia and relics of Bonaventura in the “Memoraile of the Blessed”. This ancient hall beside the church has manuscripts, stained-glass depictions of the priest and religious vessels. See stone reliefs dating as far back as Late Antiquity (284- 632) on the sarcophagus, and a biography of Bonaventura published in 1754.
Go to the choir to admire the large pipe organ and wander through the cloisters. The temple that you see in the middle of the cloisters covers a water well. Elsewhere admire stone reproductions of the work of local artist Francesco Amato and explore a library containing books and manuscripts, some of them more than 500 years old.
Come to the church to hear classical music performances. Regular concerts are held here throughout the year. Check the official San Francesco website for details.
Ravello is a 7-kilometre (4-mile) drive from Amalfi along the coast road. Come by car or bus. There’s no admission fee to see the church.
