Monumental complex San Francesco

The church of San Francesco, since ever officiated by the Friars Minor Conventual, order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, is located in the heart of the historic center of Alghero together with the adjoining convent, cloister and bell tower, which make this monumental complex a unique example of its kind.

Probably built in the second half of the 15th century on a previous little church, in 1593 the church suffered a partial collapse due to static problems related perhaps to the presence of underground aquifers.

The church of San Francesco, as it currently appears in the eyes of the faithful and visitors, is the result of numerous conservative and restoration interventions that have allowed to consolidate the structure, rediscover the stellar vault of the presbytery from eighteenth-century plasters, highlight the extraordinary capitals of gothic columns.

From the sacristy you can access the cloister dating back to the 15th century. With its rectangular plan of low proportions and perfect geometry, the cloister consists of two planes.

The open space is dominated by the agile structure of the hexagonal bell tower in gothic-Catalan style.

Erected in 1632, it is concluded by a serrated spire that, with its vertical development, gives a certain impetus to the severe architecture of the cloister. 

Adress: Via Carlo Alberto, 46 | Alghero