Basilica of San Francesco - Historic Center of Siena (SI) - UNESCO Heritage - Tuscany
- Tuttitaly
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In Siena, in the Basilica of San Francesco, 223 Hosts are kept which, since 1730, have miraculously remained intact against all physical and biological laws... #tuttitaly
Basilica of San Francesco - Historic Center of Siena (SI) - UNESCO Heritage - Tuscany
The Basilica of San Francesco is one of the most significant churches in Siena, located in Piazza San Francesco. Originally built in the 13th century in Romanesque style, the basilica took on its imposing Gothic structure in the following centuries. Inside, there is the ciborium that contains the Sacred Particles, a central element of Catholic tradition.
The presence of the Franciscans in Siena dates back immediately after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi in 1226. Between 1228 and 1255, a small church was built, followed by the construction of the current basilica, which expanded between 1326 and 1475. The architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini may have contributed to the project in the 15th century, and after a fire in 1655, the church underwent restoration work and some unharmonious Baroque additions. It was only between 1763 and 1765 that the current bell tower was completed, designed by Paolo Posi.
A highly significant episode is the "miracle of the Sacred Particles." On August 14, 1730, a ciborium containing 351 consecrated hosts was stolen from the basilica. Three days later, they were found in a donations box in a nearby church. Despite the unhygienic conditions in which they were discovered, the faithful requested that they be preserved for adoration, and surprisingly, even after decades, they remained intact during each opening of the ciborium.
In 1914, chemical analyses confirmed that the particles had remained unchanged, causing astonishment and wonder, leading many to proclaim it a miracle. The Catholic Church attributes this phenomenon to the real presence of the body of Jesus Christ in the consecrated hosts.
Today, the Sacred Particles are kept in two chapels within the basilica, depending on the season, and although there are just over 200 of the original 351 hosts remaining, they continue to be objects of veneration. A new analysis in 2014 confirmed that the hosts remain miraculously intact, defying all natural laws.
The Basilica of San Francesco is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a place of profound spirituality and continuous signs of faith, which continues to attract visitors and the faithful from all over the world.
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Basilica of San Francesco - Historic Center of Siena (SI) - UNESCO Heritage - Tuscany
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