The complex miraculously survived the severe destruction inflicted on Francavilla al Mare during the Second World War. It consists of Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesù, dating back to the 15th century, and the small convent of the Observant Franciscans.
The convent was purchased in 1885 by the painter Francesco Paolo Michetti, who made it his home and studio. Here, Michetti not only lived and worked, but also welcomed friends and artists, transforming the convent into a centre for meetings and cultural exchange. Today, the convent is owned by the Ricci family, descendants of the painter, and is therefore used privately and can be visited by booking a guided tour.
The small Chiesa di Santa Maria del Gesù, now dedicated to Sant’Antonio da Padova, is a historic 16th-century building rebuilt in Neo-Romanesque style in the late 19th century.
The façade of the small church was built in brick and masonry, with an upper ambulatory. It recalls Romanesque Abruzzo abbeys, with a simple style featuring hanging arches and a portico at the base.
In 1938, a bronze statue of the artist was erected in front of the building’s main entrance in his honour, created by his pupil and friend Nicola D’Antino. A year later, Vittorio Emanuele III declared the convent a national monument.
The church can be visited freely when it is open for religious services.
