Church of St. Francis of Assisi
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🎧 STAGE 9 – CHURCH OF SAN FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
In the heart of Bisacquino, overlooking a large square, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi is a small 17th-century jewel that chronicles centuries of faith and folk art.
Built around 1550 through the devotion of Sister Benedetta Lo Bosco, a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, the church still retains its original stone masonry, which gives it a sober old-world charm.
Singular is the bell tower with its rare triangular shape, surmounted by a spire covered with green and yellow majolica tiles-a decorative detail that recalls the influence of Arab culture, still alive in the identity of the Sicilian territory.
Inside, the single hall holds valuable wooden works. In the center of the high altar is a statue – most likely dating from the 17th century – of St. Francis of Assisi.
The saint wears a brown habit with a cord at his waist with three knots, symbols of the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
He presents the stigmata in his hands, feet and side. At his feet is depicted Brother Egidius, one of the saint’s earliest companions, in a touching reminder of fraternity and humility.
At the side, the hieratic figure of St. Francis of Paola strikes the eye.
In the right chapel, the wooden work of Our Lady of the Heart lovingly catches the eye.
The Virgin, with the Child in her arms and a silver heart in her left hand, is embellished with two crowns dated 1814 and rests on a cloud decorated with cherubs’ heads. The sculpture, dating from the late 18th century and close to the style of Filippo Quattrocchi, was commissioned by the confraternity formed in 1786 by Bartolomeo Giangrosso.
In 1773, the church underwent interior embellishment. Among the architects of the work were plasterer Gabriele Messina and master Giuseppe Ragusa from Corleone (but living in Bisacquino), who took care of decorations and flooring.
This church reflects the spirit of St. Francis: poverty, humility, simplicity.
The essentiality of the architecture and furnishings calls for detachment from material goods, invites silent prayer and meditation.
Crossing its threshold is like entering an embrace of stone and silence, where purity speaks to the heart and every echo invites peace of soul.
