Church of S. Francesco
In 1263 it was part of the Pennense Custody. It shows a portal in white limestone, characterized by valuable floral decorations, trilobate hanging arches and finely carved capitals, similar to that of the Church of S. Antonio (formerly S. Francesco) in Teramo: the two places of worship could be contemporary; square stone ashlars facade enclosed by mighty buttresses.
The historian from Campania Palma cites a 40-day indulgence, granted in 1306 by the aprutino bishop Rinaldo, to the faithful who had visited the two churches on particular occasions or contributed to helping the two Franciscan communities. with apse, it reflects the needs of the Order (poverty and preaching to the people); roof with wooden trusses and single-lancet windows on each side with pointed trefoil arches.
The original rose window is missing. In the lunette of the portal there is an illegible fresco attributed to Giacomo from Campli. Inside, leaning against the sides of the counter-façade, two aedicules (one with a round arch, the other ogival), decorated with interesting fresco cycles (14th-15th century. ).
The apse, with a ribbed vault, is illuminated by a single lancet window. To the left of the presbytery, in a niche, a fifteenth-century fresco with German influences (“Pietà”); on the right wall an "Annunciation", fresco (XVI century) attributed to Giuliano Presutti, with the presumed kneeling donor Ludovico Chiericati, Franciscan and brother of the bishop of Teramo.
Noteworthy an altarpiece attributed to the school of Cola dell'Amatrice (dated 1510 with dedication) representing the “Madonna enthroned with Child and SS. Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Alexandria, Clare of Assisi and Anthony of Padua”.
The Virgin breastfeeds her Son, according to the iconographic scheme of the Madonna del Latte, a widespread theme in Abruzzo and dear to the Franciscans. On a side altar from 1598 with the coats of arms of Duke Ranuccio I Farnese and the Curri family, stands a neoclassical canvas (“Miracle of S. Francesco form Paola”), a copy of Camuccini, by Carmine Rozzi.
Currently not accessible.
