| The church, with an adjacent monastery, was erected in 1609 by the Capuchin monk from Brindisi, Giulio Cesare Russo (who was to become San Lorenzo), in an area that belonged to his family. The complex was born to house the Clarisse nuns staying in the city convent of Saint Clare, which had evidently become inadequate.
The works were financed by Duke Maximilian of Bavaria, whose mark is sculpted in the entry portal and on the twisted columns that flank the high altar.
The original project of the church was modified over the years: the perimeter walls were widened and the entry was moved to the current via San Lorenzo and Angioli.
The entire building is in local stone known as carparo cut into regular ashlars. The façade, crowned by a split tympanum, has two levels. The lower level, marked by pilasters, opens the portal enriched by a lovely wooden door from the 17th century. The work, carried out by a local artist, is decorated with images of St. Francis, St. Clare, and the Evangelists. The simple Baroque façade features rich festoons with flowers and cherubs.
The layout is a Latin cross with a single nave interrupted by fluted pilasters. The perimeter walls open onto four deep Baroque chapels on each side.
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