Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: San Francesco d'Assisi

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The altar in baroque style is made of multicolored marble.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The main facade, on which opens an imposing Gothic portal with a pointed arch, with a triple archivolt is decorated with Arab-Norman motifs.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The main facade, on which opens an imposing Gothic portal with a pointed arch, with a triple archivolt is decorated with Arab-Norman motifs.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. Palermo, founded in 734 BC by the Phoenicians, became a possession of Carthage and later was part of the Roman Empire. From 831 to 1072 the city was under Arab rule. Following the Norman conquest, Palermo became the capital of a new Kingdom of Sicily and the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Frederick II and King Conrad IV. It is known, that Franciscan monks had built a monastery outside the walls of Palermo around 1235. They were not really welcomed. Instigated by the local clergies the populations severy damaged the buildings. The monks comlained in Rome and Gregory IX. commissioned the Archbishop of Messina to repair the damage. The present church was erected 1255 - 1277. The portal dates from 1302. The interior was redesigned several times from the 15th century on. San Francesco was severely damaged during WWII and restored after the war on the model of Sant'Agostino.