Image via Wikipedia
St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) adoring the Christ Child (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Alghero‘s atmospheric Old Town has some enchanting churches including the restored 14th century Chiesa di San Francesco. This church complex includes a convent and cloister that was originally built in the 1300s.
The church of Saint Francis blends Romanesque, Catalan-Gothic, late Renaissance and Baroque styles.
The tranquil two-tiered cloister is the oldest part of the complex and it is located in the heart of the main shopping district on Via Carlo Alberto. The lovely arched cloister is a venue for summer concerts.
Cloister of St. Francis
The cloister leads to the small chapel at the base of the tower. There are some interesting murals inside the portico of the cloister.
The left aisle leads to the sacristy that is decorated with antique furniture and wooden statues. The sacristy leads to the cloister that has two tiers of round arches. The higher order of arches in the cloister were added in the 18th century. The lower level arches supported by an alternating columns and octagonal pillars were original.
The church was re-built in 1598 after a collapse in 1593. It has a beautiful vault in the presbytery with some magnificent Baroque altars that resemble those found in St. Anthony of Padua.
The altar is dominated by statues of the Virgin Mary among the saints Francis of Assisi and Anthony of Padua in 18th century polychrome marble by the sculptor Giovanni Battista Franco.
The Altar of the Church of Saint Francis
On one of the pillars on the left has a 17th century wooden sculpture of “Christ at the Column”. It is carried in procession during Holy Week .
Christ at the Column
The sandstone facade has a portal with an architrave that is decorated with the Franciscan coat of arms surrounded by angels bearing the Franciscans of the Passion. There is a small rose window surmounted by an oculus above the ornate door.
Facade of the Church of St. Francis
There are some magnificent chapels like the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament built in the eighteenth century Baroque style.
English: Giorgione: Madonna and Child with St Anthony of Padua and St Roch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Trvel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com
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