Church of San Lorenzo at the former Convent of San Francesco

The Church of San Lorenzo, with remnants of its Franciscan convent, stands out in the skyline of the village of Asciano. Located just a few meters from the town walls, it represents one of the most significant testimonies of the Franciscan presence in the area.

Important works of art, now housed in the Museo di Palazzo Corboli, originate from here.

The origins are shrouded in mystery and legend. Some 18th-century manuscripts refer to a document from 1212, through which the people of Asciano supposedly donated the land for the construction of the convent to the Franciscans. However, the lack of concrete evidence for this document has led to doubts among scholars...

The Church of San Lorenzo, dating back to the 13th century, is an emblematic example of Franciscan architecture, reflecting the values of simplicity and humility cherished by Saint Francis of Assisi.

The façade, marked by corner pilasters, features a portal that invites visitors to enter and be enveloped by the mystical aura of the place. The convent, now divided into residential homes, still retains some visible traces in the façades that surround the ancient cloister.

Entering the Church, one is struck by the vast space that envelops you. Once, every corner of its walls was covered with frescoes telling stories of faith and devotion, now partially uncovered thanks to restorations in the 1980s. It is a place where the past seems to come alive, with colors and images emerging from time, silent witnesses to distant eras.

Many of the works that adorned this church are now housed in the Museo Palazzo Corboli, where one can admire altarpieces and wooden sculptures of extraordinary beauty. Among them, the following stand out:

• The Annunciation by Francesco di Valdambrino, a delicate wooden sculpture made in 1410-11, which captures the sweetness of the sacred moment with timeless grace.
• A delicate Madonna and Child with Donor, created in the 14th century, probably by the Workshop of the Memmi. The donor depicted may have been Antonio Tolomei, a prominent figure from Asciano at the time.

Currently, the church still hosts a precious polychrome terracotta altarpiece, attributed to the Della Robbia masters. The Madonna with Child, surrounded by angels and saints, seems almost alive, with vibrant colors that tell of the faith and devotion of past centuries.

The church is currently closed for worship.

It hosts numerous cultural events annually, such as the Asciano Suono Festival, Collegium Vocale delle Crete Senesi, and the Azzurra Lorenzoni Band Festival.