The church of San Francisco - Ontinyent

Data

Phone: ---

Address: Carrer Melcior Gomis

Email: ---

Open holidays: No

Map

This is the only element remaining of the old Franciscan convent. The order of the Franciscans founded the convent in the Vila in 1573 under the advocation of Saint Anthony and with the donation of the medieval chapel of Saint Anthony from the 14th century ,on what is now the site of the Glorieta. The original building collapsed during heavy rains in 1597. Bad workmanship was to blame and this lead to the building of another church on the present site which was finished in 1615. The church consists of a nave and seven sections and chapels. The building is noteworthy because of its simplicity, and is dominated by high ceilings and arches. The choir is at the back of the church, as is the custom in Franciscan churches in Valencia. The side door is Barroque with plain pillars and is later than most of the construction. Franciscan architecture is charcterised by austerity both inside and out. The church was in a dreadful state by the end of 1845 as in 1835 there had been a redistribution of land and property belonging to the Franciscans. The deterioration of the church was rapid and was accentuated by the poor quality of materials and workmanship. The building was acquired by Juaquina Osca from one of the most powerful families in the city with the economic support of the local people. In the second half of the 19th century the church was opened again. The damage caused by the Civil War meant that the building had to undergo further renovation which, together with other works carried out in the latter part of the 20th century gave the building its current aspect. The church originally housed some oil paintings by the Franciscan artist Villanueva which were subsequently lost.