The San Francesco civic museum is located a few steps from the central square of Montefalco. The medieval village, famous for its fine wine production and in a splendid panoramic position, overlooks the entire Umbrian Valley from Perugia to Spoleto.
The museum itinerary unfolds inside the former church of San Francesco, built between 1335 and 1338, and in the historic rooms of the adjoining convent. The current appearance of the church essentially dates back to the 15th century when the Franciscans promoted its complete renovation.
The museum has been housed since 1990 in the church of San Francesco and the rooms of the adjoining convent. Built between 1335 and 1338, the church hosted a remarkably important painting site, especially due to the presence of Benozzo Gozzoli, author of the decorations in the chapel of San Girolamo and those in the apse. The Stories of the Life of Saint Francis (1452), twelve scenes arranged in three registers, are among the most important Renaissance cycles preserved, second in importance only after Giotto’s cycle in Assisi. The decoration of the side chapels was carried out by Jacopo Vincioli, Giovanni di Corraduccio, Ascensidonio Spacca, while the fresco on the counter-façade with the Annunciation with the Eternal in glory among angels and the Nativity is the work of Pietro Vannucci called Perugino from 1503.
Paintings, sculptures, textiles, and other objects from various places in the city and territory found a place in the gallery set up in some rooms of the former convent. In addition to a significant group of works by the Montefalco native Francesco Melanzio, the art gallery houses detached frescoes and works from the circle of Alunno and Antoniazzo Romano. Archaeological finds and other stone fragments from various periods, among which a statue of Hercules of classical age and uncertain origin, of particular interest, have been gathered in the crypt.
Since 2006, new underground spaces used for temporary exhibitions have been open to the public; during the restoration works, the ancient cellars of the Franciscan convent re-emerged, which are now visitable.
Information about San Francesco Museum Complex (Montefalco) of Montefalco
Via Ringhiera Umbra, 6
06036 Montefalco (Perugia)
0742379598
montefalco@sistemamuseo.it
Source: MIBACT
