Church of St. Francis

The convent was damaged in the 1997 earthquake and restored only in 2009 after a long work process. This building can be considered one of the first Franciscan sites in Umbria, and it could even be possible that the saint himself desired it. In fact, two important Franciscan friars were from Giano, they were Friar Giordano and Friar Bartolomeo. The first one, who was probably welcomed into the order by Francis himself, was a very important person in the German apostolate since he was the author of The Chronicle, one of the most important sources in the Franciscan Order’s history. The second one, who was a man of letters and a great preacher, was well-known for an important evangelization mission in the East. The church was visited by many pilgrims crossing this area and they wished to receive a plenary indulgence; in fact, indulgences were given to those who visited the convent since 1291. The outside of the church is made of rose-colored stone, it has a gable roof, a higher facade than the original one, a closed oculus, and a recessed gate. Simplicity is the main element and is typical of the Franciscan architectonic ideal. Between the first and second city walls, there were the Reclusorio delle Agostiniane (a place where women could become nuns), the Ospedale dei pellegrini (a hospital), and the ruined Church of San Biagio. On the outside of the defensive walls, there are the churches of St. Blaise (1680), San Francis (13th century), the old Franciscan convent, and a deconsecrated church called dell’Annunziata.