Església de Sant Francesc
A Gothic-Cistercian church from the second half of the 14th century, the sole vestige of the vanished Franciscan convent founded by Jaume I. With a single nave and seven side chapels between buttresses roofed by rib vaults, it served as the pantheon of the city's great families, among them the Borja.
Of a whole Franciscan convent founded by Jaume I, only its church still stands. The Església de Sant Francesc, a Gothic-Cistercian building from the second half of the 14th century, is that lone survivor, standing in the old town of Xàtiva.
The architecture
It follows the classic Mediterranean Gothic plan: a single nave with seven chapels opened between the buttresses, roofed by rib vaults. It is the restraint of the mendicant orders rendered in stone, efficient and full of light.
A family pantheon
For centuries it served as the burial place of the city's great families, the Borja among them, which makes it another stop on the Borja trail through Xàtiva. The visit is free. If the city's religious heritage interests you, pair it with the nearby Església de Sant Pere.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to visit Sant Francesc?
No, the visit is free.
What remains of the old Franciscan convent?
Of the whole convent founded by James I, only its church survives, Gothic-Cistercian from the second half of the 14th century.
What is its connection to the Borgias?
For centuries it served as a burial place for the city's great families, including the Borgias, making it another stop on the Borgia trail.
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