The church was constructed on the property of the Spadalonga family, who provided the first wool tunic to Saint Francis after he renounced his worldly possessions.
It is one of the oldest Franciscan churches in Italy, commissioned shortly after the saint's death.
The frescoes by Ottaviano Nelli in the apse are considered among the finest examples of the International Gothic style in the region.
The church’s foundation was established over the site of the Spadalonga wool workshop where Saint Francis stayed in 1206.
The building was built using local Gubbio limestone, maintaining a uniform color palette with the rest of the medieval city.
The Chiesa di San Francesco in Gubbio is a 13th-century Gothic church built on the site where Saint Francis of Assisi found refuge with the Spadalonga family. It serves as a central religious landmark, located directly in the Piazza San Francesco. The interior features significant 14th-century frescoes by Ottaviano Nelli that depict scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The structure is characterized by its pointed arches and a simple, austere stone facade typical of Umbrian Franciscan architecture. Beneath the church lies a crypt that reveals remnants of the earlier building and medieval foundations. The adjoining convent area has historically served as a monastic residence and center for local Franciscan activity. It remains an active place of worship within the historic center of Gubbio.
From the center of Piazza San Francesco looking up at the stone facade to capture the building's scale against the backdrop of Gubbio's hills.
Walk through the crypt to view the excavated remains of the original medieval structures.
Observe the fresco details closely as they provide visual records of medieval life and clothing in Gubbio.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Piazza San Francesco to view the church's exterior proportions.
Do not use flash photography inside the church, as it can damage the delicate historical frescoes.
Maintain silence, ensure shoulders and knees are covered, and remove hats while inside the sanctuary.
