The Church of Saint Francis of Assisi is a catholic church on Nikiforou Theotoki Street in the historic old center of Corfu Town. It is one of the oldest surviving churches on the island and was once part of a monastic complex.
Although its exact year of construction is unknown, the church is thought to date from the middle of the 13th century and was originally an orthodox church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. At some unknown time, the church was granted to the catholic monks of the Order of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Even though the church is located on one of the most vibrant streets of the old town, it can easily be missed since it is hidden at a higher elevation above some souvenir shops. Its current appearance is the result of several restorations and extensions over the centuries.
The monastic complex has the layout of a peristyle courtyard around which the monastic cells are located. The katholikon has the style of a single-aisled basilica, while the relatively large bell tower has a Romanesque Italian architecture.
Under Venetian rule, the monastery was abolished, and the monastic cells were converted for other uses. Today, it houses a primary school. The church is still in use and celebrates Saint Francis on October 4th of every year.
