Panorama showing the vast interior of San Francesco church in Siena. This image was taken near the alter of the church.

San Francesco Basilica Church - Siena visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'San Francesco Basilica Church' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Tuscany.

San Francesco basilica in Siena was a Romanesque church built between 1228-1255. It was then enlarged and converted into the current Gothic church during the 14th-15th centuries. The church was damaged by fire in 1655 and restored between 1885-1892.

This has left the interior of San Francesco looking quite austere. All the former Baroque furnishings have been removed. However, the appearance is still quite striking due to the alternate courses of white and black stone used in the walls. The nave is mostly empty.

San Francesco Church (Siena) - Art

A number of paintings hang along the massive nave. Some of the art and artefacts within the church include:

• Two 14th century sepulchres within the counterfaçade.
• Two large fragmentary frescoes from the former city gates of Porta Romana and Porta Pispini.
• 'Incoronation of the Virgin' by Sassetta and Sano di Pietro (1447-1450) .
• 'Nativity' by Il Sodoma (1531).
• 'Madonna with Child and Saints' by Jacopo Zucchi.
• 'Crucifxion' by Pietro Lorenzetti and Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
• 'Martyrdom of St. Martina' by Pietro da Cortona.
• 'Prayer of St. James' by Giuseppe Nicola Nasini.
• 'Madonna with Child' fresco by Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio.
• St. Francis 14th century marble statue that used to adorn the façade.

Basilica di San Francesco
Piazza San Francesco
Siena, Tuscany.

Walk: San Franseco is at the end of Vie aei Rossi about 550m from Piazza del Campo, 600m from Siena Cathedral.