Overview
The Gothic Basilica of St Francis - full of mural evidence of 14th century frescos - houses one of the greatest masterpieces of the Renaissance: Piero della Francesca's 'Legend of the True Cross'. The work, painted between 1453 and 1459 in the Bacci Chapel, was restored to its former glory after a lengthy restoration in 2000. It is a must-visit destination for those who consider the Renaissance age to be one of humanity's greatest achievements.
Of particular interest, apart from the stained glass windows by Guglielmo de Marcillat, are the Tarlati Chapel with the Annunciation, believed to be the work of Luca Signorelli, the large wooden Crucifix on the main altar, attributed to the Master of St Francis, and the frescoes by Spinello Aretino. Moreover, on July 18th 2020, when the Basilica reopened to the public, it was possible to admire the results of the restoration of Francesco Roselli's Funeral Monument, an operation carried out by Silvia Gualdani in less than two months, financed by the Fondazione CR Firenze thanks to the Art bonus, a tool that since 2014 has facilitated private patronage in favour of cultural heritage.
