Church San Francesco - Lucca - Tuscany

The Church of San Francesco is located in the historic center of Lucca, in the square of the same name, next to the former convent, where the Franciscans lived from 1228 to 2003.

The construction of the building was completed around 1430, while the facade - clad in white limestone - remained unfinished until 1930. The decoration of the interiors took place between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century.

In 1840, the church became private property and the paintings that used to decorate it were transferred to the various museums of the city. In 1901, the building came back into the hands of the city of Lucca, who repurposed it for cult activities.

In 2010, the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca Foundation took over the building and started a major restoration - completed in 2013 - first of the monastery and then of the church, creating the monumental complex of San Francesco, today the seat of a university and venue for events of great importance.

Willem Vandenameele