Chiesa di San Francesco

The Church of San Francesco in Cortona is a Franciscan foundation begun in the mid-thirteenth century by Brother Elias, who succeeded Saint Francis as head of the order. It preserves the tombs of Elias and painter Luca Signorelli, alongside works of art and relics.

Why it matters

The church is among the earliest Franciscan foundations within a Tuscan town. Its origins are associated with Brother Elias, a Cortona native, and its long history connects the city to the first generations of the Franciscan order. The burial of Luca Signorelli gives the church an additional place in Cortona's artistic memory.

What to notice

The façade has a pointed portal and tall windows characteristic of Franciscan Gothic. Inside are altarpieces including Pietro da Cortona's Annunciation and works by Ciro Ferri and Raffaello Vanni. The church also preserves a relic of the True Cross, traditionally said to have been brought from Constantinople by Brother Elias, as well as objects associated with Saint Francis.

Context and history

Construction began between 1245 and 1247, over remains of a Roman thermal structure. Medieval frescoes were whitewashed during seventeenth-century changes, and the interior was altered over time. Brother Elias was buried in the choir; Luca Signorelli was buried here in 1523. The church remains a significant stop in the city's record of Franciscan life and art.