Poggibonsi - Convento di San Lucchese

The large Gothic Basilica of San Lucchese was erected on the remains of a pre-existing church. When around 1215 Francis of Assisi visited Poggibonsi the preceding church and two houses nearby were given to him and his friars. At that time he met with Luchesius Modestini (aka "San Luchese"), who along with his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, became the first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance (= "Third Order of St. Francis"). The pious couple live here and died together on 1260. As soon after many miracles happened near their relics, a pilgrimage developed - and the couple got beatified and canonized.

The convent existed here upto 1810, when, under Napoleonic rule, the monastery was suppressed and all monks were expelled.