Chiesa di San Francesco (Lanciano)

In the heart of the charming town of Lanciano, Italy, stands the awe-inspiring Chiesa di San Francesco, also known as the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. This magnificent church, located on Corso Roma, is not only a testament to remarkable architectural prowess but also a sacred site that holds deep religious significance due to the famous Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano.

The Historical Tapestry of Chiesa di San Francesco

The origins of Chiesa di San Francesco trace back to an ancient foundation, historically known as the convent of Saints Legonziano and Domiziano. According to tradition, this site was initially a small church erected where the centurion Longinus, who converted after piercing the side of Christ, was martyred. In the 8th century, Greek-rite monks known as the Basilian monks took custody of this monastery, and it was here that the Eucharistic Miracle is said to have occurred. During a mass, a Basilian monk, who doubted the miracle of the Resurrection, witnessed the consecrated host turn into living flesh and the wine into blood. This miraculous event has been documented since 1631, although the exact year of the occurrence remains uncertain.

The Transformation into a Franciscan Church

By the 11th century, the Basilian monks were expelled due to their misconduct, and the monastery came under the care of the Benedictine abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. The Franciscans, invited by Archbishop Landolfo Caracciolo of Chieti, established themselves in Lanciano in the mid-13th century. They reconstructed the old convent and built the new church of San Francesco between 1252 and 1258, making it one of the earliest Franciscan conventual churches in Abruzzo. The Gothic-style façade has largely been preserved over the centuries, although the upper part was reconstructed following damage from an earthquake in the 18th century.

Architectural Marvels and Restorations

The Chiesa di San Francesco underwent significant Baroque transformations between 1730 and 1745, resulting in its current grandeur with a single, expansive nave. The original six minor altars have been reduced to two, located near the presbytery. Following the French occupation of the Kingdom of Naples in 1809, the convent was closed, and its properties were transferred to private ownership. The Franciscans returned in 1953, and the convent was later converted into a hostel for pilgrims visiting the Eucharistic Miracle. A major restoration for the Jubilee of 2000 restored the church's 18th-century splendor, although some modern alterations have been critiqued for covering earlier frescoes and altering the archaeological layout.

The Exterior Grandeur

The church's façade features a horizontal cornice with squared stones, and the upper part, rebuilt in the 18th century, includes a central window typical of Baroque churches. The bronze portal, crafted by Tommaso Gismondo of Anagni and donated in 1975, showcases scenes from the life of St. Francis and the Eucharistic Miracle. The church's irregular layout includes a longitudinal rectangular plan with its façade facing Corso Roma and the rear towards Piazza del Plebiscito. The adjacent convent, now known as Casa San Francesco, has a trapezoidal shape and blends with the Franciscan complex.

The Towering Bell Tower

One of the most striking features of Chiesa di San Francesco is its medieval-renaissance bell tower, initially constructed in 1204 and later elevated during the construction of the Franciscan complex. The tower, standing at 31 meters, showcases Gothic influences with ogival arches and was completed in the 18th century with a dome adorned with polychrome majolica tiles. The tower's restoration in the mid-19th century by engineer Filippo Sargiacomo preserved its historical integrity.

The Interior Splendor

Inside, the church's Gothic origins have been transformed by Baroque renovations following an 18th-century earthquake. The interior features an impressive array of art and decoration, including the main altar adorned with putti and spiral leaf decorations, and two side altars dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie and Sant'Antonio di Padova. Other notable altars include those dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario, the Immaculate Conception, and St. Francis receiving the stigmata. The altar of the Eucharistic Miracle, once located near the presbytery, now holds a prominent place within the church.

Large windows near the vault flood the interior with natural light, creating dramatic chiaroscuro effects, while the central window on the apse vault illuminates the space with a radiant beam. The 18th-century stucco work by Michele Clerici, also active in Chieti, adds to the church's ornate beauty.

Visiting the Chiesa di San Francesco is not just an exploration of architectural elegance but also a journey through a rich tapestry of history and faith. The church stands as a beacon of Lanciano's spiritual heritage, inviting pilgrims and tourists alike to marvel at its storied past and serene beauty.