La Verna - Franciscan Friary

 amusement ride, shrine, convento

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Near the entrance of the precincts of the friary stands the little Church of Santa Maria degli Ángeli, the foundation-stone of which was laid by St Francis; the building was altered in later times. There are a number of coats of arms on the facade, and the church contains terracottas from the workshop of the della Robbias and the Tomb of Count Orlando Cattani, who presented the site of the friary to St Francis. Immediately adjoining is the Chiesa Maggiore, an aisleless church in Renaissance style which was begun in 1348 and completed in the 16th century. It contains terracottas by Andrea della Robbia ("Adoration of the Child", "Virgin in Prayer", "Annunciation", "Assumption"). The Corridor of the Stigmata (Corridoio delle Stimmate), with frescoes of 1670 (restored) on the life of St Francis, leads to the Cappella della Stimmate, an oratory built in 1236 which also contains terracottas by Andrea and Luca della Robbia. A memorial stone set here in the 14th century marks the spot on which St Francis received the stigmata.