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The convent of
St. Francesco was
built in the XIII
century on the site
of a medieval
castle and of a
small church dedicated
to St.
Martino.
It
was erected on will of
the Clarisse
nuns, which
dedicated it to St.
Francesco and in
which they moved into
it until 1515.
In
this year, in fact,
Leone X depended
to his legate in the
Marches the duty to
check the customs and
habits of the nuns, not
always loyal in their
rectitude. Following
investigations, it was
decided to suppress the
community and to leave
the monastery and
the church to the
friars of St.
Francesco.
Between the XVI
and the XVII
centuries, the
architectural structure
was modified, till when
it was used at the end
of the '800s as a
district prison,
and in the '900s as
bakery and as a
mill.
In
1870, after long
and difficult
negotiations, the
entire structure was
given to the Council of
Offida, which still
holds the
property.
In
1872, after vain
attempts to use the
building for
educational purposes, a
part of the convent was
used as a district
prison.
In
1906, even
the church was
deconsecrated and a
part was used as a
mill and
bakery.
Now, thanks to the
restoration of the
internal part of the
building, wanted by the
Council Administration,
it is now used for
social, cultural and
tourist events
(regional wine
cellar).
The current structure,
completely renovated in
respect to the original
architectural design
and to the usage, it
however enables to
individualise some
characteristic elements
of the convent.
Inside there is still
the
cloister, where
once in the middle
of it there was a
well, while along
the walls we can see
some paintings with
sacred images and
writings.
The ground floor
is characterised by a
wide room which
represents the old
subdivision in three
aisles, defined by
two rows of pillars
with a square
section.
The ceiling has
a trussed wooden
roofing which
reproduces the original
aspect.
Upstairs,
above the door
entrance, there is a
well defined perimeter
of a rose
window, that is
evident along the
external brick
wall.
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