San Francesco (14th century)

Interior

The present church has a single nave, a polygonal central apse and two flanking apsidal chapels. 

The original high altar was demolished in 1593 and rebuilt against the wall of the apse.  The relics of the Blessed Ventura in their Roman sarcophaugus, which had been largely forgotten, were re-discovered at this point:

  • the relics were translated to the right apsidal chapel; and
  • the sarcophagus was moved to the counter-facade.

Eight side altars were then built in the period to 1630 four of which survive.   A number of the original frescoes (see below) were recovered in a restoration in 1910, when four of them were demolished.

Left Wall

Madonna and Child with saints (1577)

This fresco in a niche on the left wall, near the counter-facede, was recovered in 1832.   It is signed by Fabio Angelucci da Mevale and dated. 

  • The main scene depicts the Madonna and Child enthroned with the Archangel Gabriel and SS Francis, Antony of Padua and Joseph.
  • The scene in the lunette depicts Christ carrying the cross, with the Virgin, St Veronica and other women.


Altare della Crocefissione (1597)

Pomponio and Cristofaro de Angelis commissioned this altar (the 1st on the left).  The altarpiece of the Crucified Christ (17th century) is apparently a copy of a work by Guido Reni.

Organ (1509)

The organ was modified in 1526 and again in 1695.  The choir around it was added on this second occasion.  

Altare delle Stimate di San Francesco (late 16th century)

Grifone Petroni commissioned this altar (the 2nd on the left) and was buried in the pavement in front of it.  The altarpiece of the stigmatisation of St Francis is by Avanzino Nucci.

Cappella di Sant’ Antonio da Padova

This chapel to the left of the apse belonged to the Valenti family.  It was modified in the 16th century, when the present altar was built. 

  • The aedicule on the back wall contains the inscription from the monument to Giacomo Valenti (died 1357). It originally contained  the painted stone monument now on the right wall.

  • The monument (1576-7) to Alessandro Valenti and his mother, Ottavia Attavanti is on the left.

Frescoes (ca. 1372)

These frescoes on the left wall of the chapel include images of:

  • Pope Urban V holding an image of SS Peter and Paul;
  • St Catherine of Alexandria; and
  • St Antony of Padua. 

They probably date to the time of the death of Pope Urban V .

Apse

Crucifix (early 14th century)

This painted Crucifix with the Virgin and SS John the Evangelist and Francis hangs above the high altar.  It is the autograph work of the Maestro del Crocifisso di Trevi, who was a follower of Giotto.

Scenes from the life of the Virgin (ca. 1372)

This fresco cycle of eight scenes is in two orders on the walls of the apse.

Right Apsidal Chapel

This chapel belonged to the Petroni family in the 16th century.  When the relics of the Blessed Ventura were rediscovered in 1593 under the high altar, Muzio Petroni arranged for their solemn translation to the back wall of this chapel.  A copy of the  account that he wrote of the life of the Blessed Ventura was enclosed in the new sarcophagus.  (The original sarcophagus (4th century) in which the relics had been housed since 1310 is now on the counter-façade – see below).

Frescoes (ca. 1372)

 
 
These frescoes on the left wall include images of: 
  • St Emilianus (above); and
  • Blessed Ventura and SS Nicholas of Bari and Andrew.

Frescoes above the entrance (14th century)

These frescoes depict:

  • the stigmatisation of St Francis (above); and
  • SS Peter and Paul.





Right Wall

St Antony Abbot (15th century)

This lovely fragment is to the left of the minor side door.


Altare della Madonna della Neve (1620)

An inscription records that Alessandro Valenti commissioned this altar (the 2nd on the right) in honour of his mother, Ortensia Tomassoni.  The altarpiece by Ascensidonio Spacca, il Fantino depicts the Coronation of the Virgin above and SS Peter and Paul and souls in purgatory below.

Madonna and Child with St Peter Martyr (15th century)

Part of this fresco (to the left of the main door) survives within a stucco tabernacle (17th century). The inscription reads:

"HOC OPUS FECIT FIERI LUCAS LUCARELLI MCCCC ..."

Lucas Lucarelli commissioned this work in 14 ...

Altare del Spirito Santo (1613)

Filippo Palazzi commissioned this altar (the 1st on the right).

Scenes from the life of St Onuphrius (ca. 1400)

These ruined frescoes, which are attributed to Maestro dell’ Abside Destra di San Francesco di Montefalco, are on the right wall (near the counter-facade).

Counter-façade

The sarcophagus (4th century) that was re-used in 1310 for the burial of the Blessed Ventura under the high altar was moved here in 1523 (when the relics were moved to the right apsidal chapel).

The marble plaque here commemorates three men from Trevi who were recently beatified or canonised:




St Michael (ca. 1400)

This fresco, which is attributed to Maestro dell’ Abside Destra di San Francesco di Montefalco, is on the counter-façade.









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