Church of San Francesco
The oldest church in San Marino, a fourteenth-century Franciscan foundation with a museum.
Updated 3 September 2026
UNESCO World Heritage
The church and convent of San Francesco stand just inside the Porta San Francesco in San Marino's historic centre, founded by Franciscans in 1361 and the oldest church in the republic, with a plain stone front and an interior stripped back in the twentieth century to its medieval form. The convent holds a museum and picture gallery with work from the fourteenth century onward. The convent buildings were used as a hospital and a school at different times before becoming the museum.
What's there
- The 1361 foundation - the oldest church in the republic.
- The plain stone front - the medieval facade by the city gate.
- The convent museum - the picture gallery in the conventual buildings.
- The stripped interior - the church returned to its medieval form.
When to go
April to October is the main season. The museum keeps set hours and closes on some days. Services take priority in the church.
Before you go
The museum is small and the collection modest. Restoration removed later fittings, which some find a loss. It is easy to walk past on the way up to the towers.
Nearby
Piazza della Libertà is above, and the Porta San Francesco is alongside.
What to pack for Church of San Francesco
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
