| The Franciscans, in order to erect their church and its relative convent, were given by the Università, in 1680, a land of the municipal property, in front of the Porta of San Nicola, in the shelter of the Votano (a deep subsidence of karstic origin). In 1718 the construction works of the convent of San Francesco di Assisi were terminated, and ten years later also the building works of the church were accomplished. Once the building works were terminated, the accomplishment of the Baroque, enchanting, internal altars started, and the realization was entrusted to the masons from Lecce. The employment of these specialized workers explains why only the church of the town of Martina Franca owns such a sophisticated and decorated display, in every little detail.
The modern façade of the church is not the original one. It was reconstructed during the 19th century, following the destruction caused by a hurricane, which knocked down the church in 1852. Furthermore, the original façade was also taller, and this explains the reason for its shakiness. The façade was built as it is today, on the initiative of the Brotherhood of Sant'Antonio da Padova (which is homed in the former convent), also thanks to the generous contributions of the worshipers. In order to avoid a repeat of such destructions, it was also decided to decrease the height of the façade. The façade has a clear, symmetric lay-out, and it is embellished by the elegant division of the pilasters. On the upper level, there is awinding cornice, formed by volutes, and flanked by two, very schematized torches, compared to the more sumptuous ones of the Baroque from Martina.
The portal is formed by two fluted columns, with composite capitals, on which soars up a fragmented spandrel. It is all surrounded by a fanciful decoration of vegetal motifs, arranged in a spiral. In the middle, between the fragmented sides of the spandrel, a niche is inserted which homes the statue of the Immacolata, protector of all the Franciscan communities. On the left hand side, there is the statue of Sant’Antonio from Padova, whereas on the right hand side there is the statue of San Francesco d’Assisi. There are another two fake niches closed by stained glass windows. On a higher level, there is a big, stained glass window with a curvilinear spandrel.
The church has a rectangular plan in its interior, and it presents a central hall, with four chapels on each side; every chapel is decorated with imaginative, Baroque altars, with an inspiration from Lecce.
The rooms of the adjacent convent, following the suppression by Murat in 1809, were used as a civil hospital, a laboratory and an orphanage, run by the Figlie della Carità. Today it is partly used as a hospice.
The church is also a sanctuary to Cristo Spirante; here a refined sculpture, recently refurbished, coming from a shop in the Veneto Region, is worshipped. |