Church of St. Francis (Chiesa di San Francesco)

The Church of St. Francis stands on Piazza San Francesco, about 350 m southwest of Cathedral Square.

The building of the current church Franciscans began to build next to his monastery in 1281. Construction was completed in 1331. The church was completely built of brick. For Prato, it was the first example of a public brick building. Before that, stone was used in the city.

The main facade of the church is lined with horizontal stripes of white limestone and green serpentine. At the bottom of the facade, a portal opens. Lunet portal is decorated with the image of the Immaculate Virgin Mary (first half of the 19th century, Martino Benelli). At the top of the building is a triangular tympanum, added in the 15th century. The timpan is decorated with relief by Andrea della Robbia (The Stigmata of St. Francis). The bell tower was designed by Antonio Benini (1799-1801). The interior of the church consists of one nave, ending with three apsidal chapels built in the Gothic style. The decoration of the church was converted in neo-Gothic style in 1902-04. Nevertheless, many ancient furnishings and works of art have been preserved in the church. Attention should be paid to the tombstone of Gemignano Ingirami (circa 1460, presumably the work of Pasquino da Montepulciano). The main altar is decorated with a wooden painted crucifix (14th century). Behind the altar can be seen the tombstone of Francesco Datini with a slab of white marble (1411-12, Niccolo di Pietro Lamberti). Remarkable amvon, made in the style of the Renaissance.