Basilica of San Francesco

Built in the 5th century, under Bishop Neone, it was dedicated to the Holy Apostles, then to St. Peter Major. From 1261 it was dedicated to St Francis and entrusted to the Friars Minor Conventual, who are still present today. It overlooks the Piazza with the same name, near Dante’s Tomb. The funeral of the Poet was celebrated there in 1321. The exterior is in sober red bricks and the façade is very simple, with a small window with two lights. Next to it stands a square bell tower, built between the 9th and 11th centuries. To the right of the main door, the arch of an ancient entrance is still visible: the original floor is three metres below the current floor level. The interior is sober and airy: the three naves are divided by two rows of 12 columns of oriental origin and on the left side the remains of some splendid frescoes from the 14th century are visible. What makes it unique in the world is the crypt under the altar: it holds a precious floor mosaic completely submerged by groundwater. The reflections of light and the swimming of goldfish, which cast their shadows on the marble tesserae, provide a truly suggestive and surreal spectacle.