Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi

Palermo

LoginSave

On a picture-perfect piazza, the much-amended Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi dates back to the 13th century. Remnants from its early history include the Romanesque facade, striking portal and left apse. The church's most interesting feature is the rare arch of the Cappella Mastrantonio (Chapel of Mastrantonio), carved in 1468 by Francesco Laurana and his protégé Pietro da Bonitate, and one of the only true examples of Renaissance art in Palermo.

Also notable are sculptures by the Gagini family, Giambattista Ragusa and Giacomo Serpotta.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Cattedrale di Vergine Assunta.

    Cattedrale di Palermo

    0.6 MILES

    A feast of geometric patterns, ziggurat crenellations, maiolica cupolas and blind arches, Palermo's cathedral has suffered aesthetically from multiple…

  • MONREALE, SICILY, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 28, 2018: Cloister of Roman Catholic Cathedral of Monreale (or Duomo di Monreale, 1267) near Palermo; one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture.; Cattedrale di Monreale Shutterstock ID 1421721263; your: Bridget Brown; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI Image Update

    Cattedrale di Monreale

    4.7 MILES

    Inspired by a vision of the Virgin and determined to outdo his grandfather Roger II, who was responsible for the cathedral in Cefalù and the Cappella…

  • Cappella Palatina in the Palazzo dei Normanni.

    Cappella Palatina

    0.81 MILES

    Designed by Roger II in 1130, this extraordinary chapel is Palermo's top tourist attraction. Located on the middle level of Palazzo dei Normanni's three…

  • Palermo, Sicily, Italy

    Galleria Regionale della Sicilia

    0.28 MILES

    Housed in the stately 15th-century Palazzo Abatellis, this art museum – widely regarded as Palermo's best – showcases works by Sicilian artists dating…

  • Mosaics in the Sala di Ruggero (Hall of King Roger) in the Palazzo dei Normanni (Palazzo Reale).

    Palazzo dei Normanni

    0.81 MILES

    Home to Sicily's regional parliament, this venerable palace dates back to the 9th century. However, it owes its current look (and name) to a major Norman…

  • Teatro Massimo at night.

    Teatro Massimo

    0.57 MILES

    Taking over 20 years to complete, Palermo's neoclassical opera house is the largest in Italy and the second-largest in Europe. The closing scene of The…

  • Small snail-like creatures for sale at Ballaro market.

    Mercato di Ballarò

    0.45 MILES

    Snaking for several city blocks southeast of Palazzo dei Normanni is Palermo's busiest street market, which throbs with activity well into the early…

View more attractions

Nearby Palermo attractions

1. Oratorio di San Lorenzo

0.04 MILES

The late-16th-century Oratory of St Lawrence features glorious stuccowork by master rococo sculptor Giacomo Serpotta. Capturing scenes from the lives of…

2. Palazzo Mirto

0.09 MILES

Just off Piazza Marina, this palazzo is one of the few in Palermo open to the public. Dating back to the 17th century, the building served as the Palermo…

3. Galleria d'Arte Moderna

0.1 MILES

This lovely, wheelchair-accessible museum is housed in a 15th-century palazzo, which metamorphosed into a convent in the 17th century. Divided over three…

4. Giardino Garibaldi

0.15 MILES

Surrounded on all sides by elegant palazzi, gentrified Piazza Marina is Palermo's quietest piazza, and its small Giardino Garibaldi encloses Palermo's…

5. Mercato della Vucciria

0.18 MILES

The underwhelming market here was once a notorious den of Mafia activity. It's a much more muted affair these days, outshone by its much more spirited…

6. Museo dell'Inquisizione

0.2 MILES

Housed in the lower floors and basements of 14th-century Palazzo Chiaromonte Steri, this fascinating museum explores the legacy of the Inquisition in…

8. Chiesa di San Domenico

0.24 MILES

The current Chiesa di San Domenico was built in 1640 following the design of architect Andrea Cirrincione; the facade was added in 1726 after the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "italy/sicily/palermo/attractions/chiesa-di-san-francesco-d-assisi/a/poi-sig/458759/360009",
  "destination": "Palermo",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Italy",
  "region": "Sicily",
  "city": "Palermo",
  "position": "superzone"
}