Gazing upon San Francisco de Asís, one might hear whispers of centuries past. San Francisco de Asís, nestled in the historic Monserrat neighborhood, has borne witness to the ebb and flow of Buenos Aires’ history. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Franciscan order. The Franciscans were among the first to receive land in the city, granted by Juan de Garay in 1580. This sacred ground shares its courtyard with the Chapel of San Roque and the Secular Franciscan Third Order. Together, they form the San Francisco Monumental Complex. A designated National Historic Monument.
San Francisco de Asís’s story begins long before its current façade. The definitive sanctuary’s construction commenced around 1731. It was designed by the Jesuit architect Andrés Blanqui, with the help of Friar Vicente Muñoz. The church’s inauguration took place in 1754. A structural fissure forced its closure around 1770. Its final consecration occurred in 1783.
The San Francisco de Asís you see today reflects a later transformation. Between 1907 and 1911, architect Ernesto Sackmann redesigned the façade. He gave it its distinctive Bavarian Baroque style. Crowning this façade are four figures. Sculpted by Antonio Voegele in 1910. These figures represent Saint Francis, Dante Alighieri, Giotto, and Christopher Columbus. Each linked to San Francisco’s minor orders.
Stepping inside San Francisco de Asís, you’ll discover a unique central nave. It’s elongated with shallow side chapels. The original altar, a survivor of time, remains in the right transept. Other altars date from 1911. The main altar, sadly, was lost to a fire in 1955. Look for the 18th-century Rococo pulpit. A carved masterpiece by Isidro Lorea. Adorned with gilded paint. Above, the church’s dome rises from an octagonal base. The air within San Francisco de Asís often resonates with music. This comes from the 1772 German organ created by Luis Oben.
San Francisco de Asís holds a unique treasure. A tapestry, one of the largest in Latin America. It was created by Horacio Butler to replace the altarpiece lost in the 1955 fire. This tapestry, a vibrant work of art, depicts the “Glorification of St. Francis”. It serves as a powerful reminder of the church’s resilience. San Francisco de Asís stands as a beacon of faith. A place of art and history. It’s a reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit.