Spoleto, Umbria Italy
[Roman Catholic]
The church and Augustinian monastery complex was built in 1304, covering the area of two smaller, earlier churches, and more. It had the church, a convent, and two cloisters. From the 1300s through the 1700s, it was one of the most important churches in the city with the whole complex being an active cultural center. Decline began in the 1600s, accelerated by Spanish soldiers billeted there around 1745 and the 1767 earthquake. By 1823 it functioned primarily as a barn. A fire collapsed the roof in 1849. After that the space was occupied by a blacksmith, electrical cabin, a truffle market, bronze foundry to repair steam engines, and a weight and measurements factory around 1905. The 15th century bell tower had been demolished in 1873. In the early 1900s It was completely abandoned for more than 50 years. The city restored a cloister in 1960; the church and convent were restored beginning in 1967. The work was funded by the state, the city, the local bank, and the Friends of Spoleto. The complex is now a conference center for the region. It hosts exhibition and theatrical events, seating 450, including ballets, concers, and shows, and more..