Church of San Francesco d'Assisi

The Franciscan presence in Tropea

The church is located on the extreme north-eastern extremity of the promontory on which the city stands, in an area previously occupied by the small church of San Pietro ad Ripas. Its construction dates back to the end of the thirteenth century, when a Franciscan brotherhood settled in the area, obtaining episcopal and papal consent for the construction of its own convent. Next to the right hand wall of the church, the chapel of Santa Margherita was built in the 14th century, with an independent entrance from an adjoining courtyard, which can still be seen from the square in front. 

The 'speaking' façade of the chapel, characterized by coats of arms and inscriptions, reveals it was constructed at the time of Andrew of Hungary, Duke of Calabria from 1333 to 1345 and consort of Joanna I of Naples just before her accession to the throne. 

Inside there was a refined fourteenth-century marble sarcophagus, now partially preserved in the diocesan museum. 

The foundation of two other chapels dates back to the end of the century, one of which, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, belonged to the Neapolitan Tomacelli family in the sixteenth century. Access to these chapels is fom the left side of the church. 

The single hall structure with what was originally a square choir, typical of Franciscan architecture, was affected by numerous renovations starting during the eighteenth century and, again, after the earthquakes of 1783, when the church was dedicated to San Demetrio, and in 1908. 

The altar is characterized by the presence of a statue of the Immaculate Conception, created in 1591 on initiative of the D'Afflitto Pelliccia family and attributed to sculptor Giuseppe d'Alvino from Palermo.