Sant'Agostino The
church of Sant'Agostino was built at the beginning of the 14th century. Its entrance has a pointed arch decorated with sculptures and a foliage
frieze on the
jamb capitals. On the right side of the entrance the date 1327 is inscribed. Inside, on the left wall, a fresco in a semicircular niche depicts the Virgin enthroned with Jesus, Saints James and John the Evangelist, and a landscape in the background; it is attributed to a Perugian school and dated 1522. On the high altar there is a surviving section of a tempera
predella with Saints Lucia, Augustine, Leonard, Lawrence, Sebastian and Gregory the Great, from the 15th century. To the right, in the chapel beside the presbytery, a fresco shows God blessing with Mary and Jesus enthroned, with half figures of saints above and, below, Saints Leonard and Paul together with half figures of Saints Peter and Fortunato; it is attributed to the school of
Benozzo Gozzoli. The sacristy vault is decorated with 15th-century frescoes including Christ blessing, the four doctors of the Church, and eight half figures of saints. A tempera panel on the entry wall shows the Coronation of Mary and is described as an Umbrian-school work of the same century. Another panel on the right wall depicts Mary enthroned with Jesus and two angels in adoration, with Saints Peter and Paul, Sebastian and a holy monk, with a date of 1487.
San Francesco The
church of San Francesco dates to the 14th century, though the entrance was renewed in 1585 and is ornamented with pilasters and a Doric entablature. The interior has two naves. On the entrance wall at left, the first recess contains monochrome frescoes of the Annunciation, God blessing among angels, and the Nativity, attributed to
Perugino. Further along the left wall, the second recess shows the Virgin enthroned with Jesus, Saint Bonaventure and Saint Andrew, with a landscape, and an inscription naming
Tiberio d'Assisi as painter; the third recess contains, above, a Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John and, below, Saint Anthony of Padua and two miracles attributed to him, assigned to the school of
Gozzoli; the fourth recess shows Mary seated with Jesus; and another work dated 1500 and attributed to a Perugian school. ,
Scenes from the Life of St Francis The apse is entirely covered with frescoes. The arch contains roundels with half figures of Saint Francis and his twelve companions. The vault includes figures of Saints Louis, Rose of Viterbo, Bernardine, Catherine and Anthony. The walls carry cycles from the life of Saint Francis in three registers, including scenes such as the birth of the saint, the gift of his cloak to the poor, the vision of banners and shields, Francis being vested by the bishop of Assisi, Mary interceding before Christ, the dream of Innocent III, and the receiving of the stigmata, the death of the saint, and others. Above these are roundels with popes, cardinals and doctors, and portraits identified as Dante, Petrarch and Giotto, as well as the emperor of Constantinople and Pope Nicholas IV. The fresco cycle is considered among the masterpieces of Benozzo Gozzoli. On the right side of the presbytery is a chapel with frescoes attributed to a
Giottesque school. In the right nave, fresco cycles include scenes from the life of Saint Anthony of Padua attributed to a school of Gubbio of the 15th century, and other works attributed to Umbrian schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. A shaped cross painted in tempera with the figure of Christ, with God blessing above and the Virgin and Saint John at the sides and Saint Francis below, is in the manner of
Cimabue. The sacristy contains a tempera painting on paper showing Jesus supporting the cross, attributed to
Lo Spagna but described as entirely repainted.
Santa Illuminata At the entrance of the
church of Santa Illuminata the date 1308 is recorded, and the lunette contains a fresco of the Virgin between two nuns with devotees below, described as a work of the 16th century. Inside, one niche shows Mary with Jesus enthroned and various saints in the manner of Tiberio d'Assisi; another includes a Glory of Angels, Saint Martin, the Flight into Egypt, the Nativity, the Epiphany and Saint Anthony, attributed to a Perugian school; another contains Christ risen with Saints Sebastian, Lawrence, Jerome and Anthony, dated 1515 and attributed to
Francesco Melanzio; another includes the Coronation of the Virgin, Mary among seraphim, and saints including Agatha, Augustine, Gregory and Lucia; frescoes in a further niche are said to recall the manner of Lo Spagna.
San Bartolomeo In the church of San Bartolomeo, on the exterior near the apse are remains of an earlier doorway with symbolic ornaments, built in the 11th century. In the sacristy there is a tempera panel on a gold ground, attributed to
Lo Spagna, depicting Saints Vincent (deacon), Illuminata and Nicholas of Tolentino.
Church and convent of San Fortunato The church is entered through a cloister whose portico has four ancient columns. On the left is the chapel of Saint Francis, decorated with frescoes by Tiberio d'Assisi dated 1512, including saints and episodes from the life of Saint Francis such as the saint in the rose garden, the concession of pardon, and the approval of an indulgence; the vault has Christ blessing at the center. On the façade, above the entrance, a lunette contains a fresco of Mary with Jesus, Saint Francis and Saint Bernardine, and above the archivolt are seven angels attributed to Benozzo Gozzoli. To the right of the entrance is the tombstone of Pompilio de Cuppis, a renowned physician who died in 1559. Inside, the right wall of the apse preserves remains of frescoes including the Virgin holding the Redeemer on her knees and a kneeling angel; an inscription "Benoti de Florentia" is accompanied by the date 1450. In the sacristy there is a tempera panel by the same master showing the Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Mary Magdalene and Saint Francis. San Fortunato is also noted for a panel painting by
Fra Angelico.
Monastery of Santa Croce Outside the city walls is the monastery of Santa Croce, founded by the Blessed Giovanna. The body of her sister, Saint
Clare of Montefalco, born in the town, is venerated there, together with her disciples the Blessed Illuminata and the Blessed Chiaretta. Her body is said to remain incorrupt and flexible and bear signs impressed on the heart of the Passion of Jesus, along with three small balls as a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Saint Clare was born in 1272. Her sister Giovanna, with offerings from devoted citizens, built the monastery on a high hill under the
Order of Saint Augustine, and Clare went to seek alms for this purpose. A popular solemn feast is held on 18 August, the anniversary of Saint Claire's death.
Other religious buildings In the church of San Leonardo, the main-altar tempera painting depicts Jesus with Mary and a group of saints including Leonard, John the Baptist, Barbara, Anthony, Jerome, John the Evangelist, Sebastian, Louis, Clare and Francis. An inscription gives the painter as Francesco Melanzio and the date 7 September 1515. In the church of Santa Ilaria di Piazza, behind the altar a niche contains a fresco showing God blessing amid a glory of seraphim and, below, the Virgin with Jesus and angels together with Saint Fortunato; it is attributed to Melanzio of Montefalco. At the church of the Madonna di Vecciano, a niche at the altar wall is decorated with frescoes depicting the Virgin with Jesus enthroned; in the arch is an emblem of the Baptist, and figures of Saints Peter, Francis, John the Baptist and Sebastian. The work is attributed to Tiberio d'Assisi. The church of Turrita has an apse and side entrance said to date to the 12th century. Inside, in the apse, there is a fresco of Calvary from the 14th century. == Culture ==