Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie

The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, also called San Francesco, is part of a Franciscan complex in Calascio founded in 1594 by fra' Mario da Calascio. Following earthquake damage in 2016, restoration works led to its reopening in August 2026.

Why it matters

Fra' Mario da Calascio, a Franciscan scholar of biblical studies and lexicography, established the church and convent as a religious and cultural centre for the village. The complex included a library of manuscripts and early printed books, reflecting its role in the community's intellectual life.

What to notice

The façade has a three-arched portico, a blind rose window and two rectangular windows. The church's furnishings include a seventeenth-century ciborium, a carved wooden candelabrum and a terracotta Madonna and Child. Paintings associated with the church include a work by the L'Aquila painter Bedeschini and a Madonna attributed to Cavalier d'Arpino.

Context and history

The church and convent were founded in 1594. The complex served as a religious and cultural centre for centuries, with a library of codices and incunabula. The 2016 earthquake forced the church to close. Safety works were carried out through the “Rocca Calascio – Luce d'Abruzzo” regeneration programme, and the church reopened to the public in August 2026.