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The Churches
There were notable changes
in the third century after the peace of Constantine to the religious
pagan cults who held their rituals in the originally Etruscan temples.
The early Christian religious cults probably used these same temples.
In succession it is nearly certain that the first buildings of the
Christian cult within the city walls, of which we know the existence
have now disappeared. The first the urban parish church of Santa
Maria and the church of Sant'Andrea (Saint Andrew), both of which
had been constructed on the ruins of pagan stood on the site of
what is now occupied by the Teatro Signorelli. After the turmoil
of the high middle ages, the occupation of the Goths, Byzantines
and Longobards, in organizing itself as a free Comune the city was
divided into neighbourhoods called Terzieri (as there were three).
Each of these neighbourhoods had a mother church. Today only faint
traces remain of these mother churches tied to each of these Terzieri.
- The Parish Church of Santa Maria, is in fact the mother church
of the terziere of Santa Maria. It was almost completely demolished
in the fifteenth century to construct the modern day cathedral.
A few traces of the old church can be found on the facade.
- The Cathedral of Saint Vincent, the mother church of the terziere
of Saint Vincent. Outside the gateway of Sant'Agostino at Via Duomo
Vecchio number 3, it was totally levelled in the eighteenth century.
Private buildings now rise over the archaeological site, while sparse
relics of the cathedral can be admired at the Etruscan Academy.
- The Church of Saint Mark, the mother church of the terziere of
Saint Mark was also torn down in the eighteenth century and its
title transferred to the 1600's church located below it which belonged
to the Compagnia della Santissima Trinità and from then on
called the church of San Marco. Although they are difficult to read
some of the remainders of the surrounding walls and facade can be
seen at the base of Via San Marci within the green archaeological
zone, this too of private ownership and accessible at number 39.
In the thirteenth century, two other holy buildings were added to
the three mother churches, the Church of Saint Francis in 1240 which
was destined to preserve the remains of its builder Brother Elias,
one of the pillars of Franciscan history and in 1297 the new Church
of San Basilio. The Church of San Basilio was constructed on plans
by Pisano and was destined to protect from 1330 until the present
the body of Saint Margaret. In the following centuries other important
holy buildings, always more beautiful and rich in art work, many
of which still conserve these works at their interiors, were added
to the two above mentioned churches.
 (XIII
century) CHIESA DI SAN FRANCESCO
As was the basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, the church was also
constructed by Brother Elias in 1247 on land which was called Bagno
della Regina and donated to him by the Comune on which existed notable
remains of Roman constructions which were probably hot springs.
It is Gothic in style but heavily remodelled especially in the seventeenth
century. The impact of it's masses and the grace of it original
lines, however, are still intact. The entry door and the large windows
which have recently been restored are to be admired
The manipulations brought about however, the painting over of the
walls once embellished with famous frescoes to be installed with
Baroque altars. The large Gothic windows were closed and the stone
high altar was replaced by a marble Baroque one, the work of Bernardino
Radi (seventeenth century) which contains at its interior a relic
of the Holy Cross. Besides the Holy Cross which was brought by Brother
Elias from Contantinople, the church also conserves the tunic, an
evangelistic manuscript, and a pillow which are all relics particular
affection and respect for Elias, so much that he called him "my
mother" as we are told by Celano in the first biography of
St. Francis.
On the wall to the right of the entrance there are the remains of
a fresco attributed to Buffalmacco (XVI century). On the third altar
in the Immaculate Conception by Commodi (1609). On the fourth the
Miracle of the Mule by Cingoli (1597). In the chapel on the right
of the apse there is a funerary monument to the first bishop of
the diocese of Cortona Ranieri Ubertini, who died in 1348. In the
chorus is the tomb of Brother Elias. the successor of Saint Francis
as the leader of the order. In the third altar on the left wall
is a masterpiece by Pietro da Cortona (1597-1669): The Annunciation,
one of the most beautiful paintings of the seventeenth century.
In the crypt below, which is no longer accessible as it was buried
in the seventeenth century, is where Luca Signorelli was buried
after his death in 1523.
The church and the monastery are still undergoing extensive restoration
work.
Brother Dominic Basili. who is presently in charge of the complex
has written various publications regarding the history of the church
and the life of Saint Francis and his companion Elias, which are
available at the church.
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