San Francesco, Assisi - Lower Church


Chapel of San Valentino (St. Valentine)

 

This small chapel is one of a sequence of passageways  behind the buttresses on the north side that acted as a side aisle for pilgrims. It links the chapel of the Santa Maria Maddelena  and Sant'Antonio da Padova.



Perhaps the most unexpected feature here, for English visitors particularly, is the tomb of Hugh of Hartlepool, above right. He was a Franciscan bigwig, being provincial Minister of England; he died in 1302 while on a diplomatic mission to the Pope. Another view of his tomb is below. 
  The fresco below is on the back wall - it is much faded, and difficult to read. 




Tomb of Hugh of Hartlepool


The blessed Valentine of Narni

The dedication of the chapel requires some sorting out. There are at least six saints called Valentine; this chapel is dedicated to Valentine of Narni, a 14th century Franciscan who, it seems, was beatified but may have not have been canonised, so 'saint' is overstating the case, and he is definitely nothing to do with romantic billets doux. The image of him above is a fresco from the chapel.
  Does the photograph of John Paul II (Canonised in 2014) suggest that the dedication of the chapel may have changed? 


Back to Chapel Index
                               Back to San Francesco Lower Church page 1                                  Home page - explore the site