The church of San Francesco was originally dedicated to S. Giovanni Battista and was seat of the Knights of Gerosolimitano order. At the beginning of the XIV century the Franciscan friars asked to have the church and to build their own convent.
The convent and church suffered serious damage in the Franco-Turkish looting of 1553, but immediately the effort was made to repair, with the extension of the religious complex, by friar Baldassare Milazzo from Licata.
In 1750 the marble prospectus was designed by architect Giovan Biagio Amico from Trapani.
In the church there is the cult of “Immacolata” (immaculate), whose statue is preserved in the chapel of the 1600 embellished with carved and gilded wood. The painting covering the statue is only removed on the occasion of the feast.
Convent with CLOISTER was confiscated among the state’s assets following the suppression of religious orders (1866) and now belongs to the municipality that has assigned it to school building. Inside a room is kept the ancient library, a rich library of manuscripts, books and documents from the 1400 to 1800 coming from the various convents of the city and the municipal archive.
Interesting is the crypt of the church that can be seen inside the Cloister, immersed in water and where the bones of friars are laid.
The Cloister is often used for various events, such as exhibitions and shows; while during Holy Week, between Wednesday and Holy Thursday, takes on a sacred character with the exposition of Christ to the Column which is venerated by many faithful.
