The Convent of St Francis in Atina: Between Faith, History and Archaeology
The Franciscan presence in the Comino Valley has its roots in the 1222, year in which St Francis of Assisi came to this territory to dedicate himself to prayer and asceticism. For three years the Saint settled in Vicalvi, occupying a modest chapel dedicated to the Crucifix with two small adjoining rooms, obtained thanks to the availability of the Benedictines of Montecassino. These primordial spaces formed the original nucleus of the present convent of Vicalvi.
The Miracle of Ampulla and the Expansion of Franciscanism
It was during his stay in Vicalva that Francis matured his decision to become a priest. However, before heading to Atina for ordination, he had a vision: an angel showed him a’ampoule of pure water, warning him that his soul had to preserve a purity equal to that crystal transparency. Impressed by the message, Francis chose to remain a humble “little brother”.
The Saint's example quickly spread throughout the valley, leading to the birth of three new spiritual centres: Alvito, San Donato Val di Comino and, finally, Atina.
The Founding of the Atina Convent (17th century)
At the beginning of 1600, the desire of the citizens of Atina to host a religious order found guidance in the canon Leandro Mancini. He convinced the community to erect a monastery near the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which he built outside the walls), promising substantial funding.
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1621: On 14 November, Dean Father Felix of Rome erected the cross on the chosen site, marking the start of the work with labour and materials provided by the community.
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1626-1629: Work came to a temporary halt when the friars were called back to Rome because they were too far from the province. Only in December 1629, once the differences were resolved, did the friars return to Atina.
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1630: The final construction of the convent and church, solemnly dedicated to St Francis, began.
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1688: The convent came under the leadership of the Reformed Observant Friars Minor of the San Bernardino Province of L'Aquila.
From the Unification of Italy to the 20th Century: Civil Transformation
The religious set-up of the complex changed drastically with the birth of the Kingdom of Italy. Between the 1864 and 1867, the government approved the so-called “subversive laws” (such as the Law of 7 July 1866), which led to the suppression of the religious orders and the liquidation of the ecclesiastical axis.
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The Suppression (1864-1865): The Municipality of Atina asked for and obtained the closure of the monastery to be used for public purposes and military housing.
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Passage to the Commune: In November 1865, the church was closed to the public and the friars were transferred. In 1866, the building was ceded in perpetual emphyteusis to the Municipality of Atina, with the definitive transfer of ownership formalised in 1871.
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New Functions: Since May 1872, the upper floor became the municipal offices. By the 1920s, the complex was a true multi-purpose centre:
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Ground floor: Cafes, clubs and garages.
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First floor: Royal Carabinieri Barracks and Magistrate's Court.
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Second Floor: Town Hall, Atina Cooperative Bank and primary school.
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Architectural Features and War Damage
The complex is distinguished by its large size and characteristic L-shaped plan, integrating the church and cloister.
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The Façade: It features an imposing portico with four segmental arches.
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The Interior: The loggia overlooking the inner courtyard and the elegant cross vaults.
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The Urban Impact: The convent played a crucial role in the development of Atina outside the medieval village, creating a scenic setting at the foot of the hill of Santo Stefano.
Unfortunately, the building suffered severe damage during the World War II, forcing the offices to move to Palazzo Cantelmo. Subsequently, the 1984 earthquake required extensive renovation and restoration work, some of which is still ongoing.
The Archaeological Surprise: The Roman Cistern
In October 2006, During the resurfacing of the forecourt, an exceptional discovery emerged that links the site to the classical era: a polygonal cistern with an elliptical plan.
Technical Data of the Cistern:
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Major axis: 6.20 metres
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Minor axis: 5.15 metres
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Depth: 6 metres
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Flooring: Paved with terracotta tiles.
The most fascinating archaeological hypothesis identifies this imposing structure as the castellum acquae of the ancient Roman aqueduct of Atina, testifying to the continuity of settlement and the strategic importance of this area over the millennia.
