"A Franciscan church rooted in the house of one of Saint Francis's first companions"
Chiesa di Santa Chiara
Rieti, Lazio, Italia
In 1229, four women wishing to live as Franciscan nuns received the house of blessed Angelo Tancredi, one of Saint Francis's earliest companions, in the city of Rieti. From that domestic beginning grew a convent and eventually a church dedicated to Saint Clare. The present building dates to 1567-1594, part of the broader Franciscan presence that makes Rieti's Valle Santa one of the most significant Franciscan landscapes in Italy.
Weather & Best Time
Plan Your Visit
Save this site and start planning your journey.
Quick Facts
Location
Rieti, Lazio, Italia
Tradition
Site Type
Coordinates
42.4035, 12.8575
Last Updated
Mar 9, 2026
Founded on the house of Angelo Tancredi, companion of Saint Francis, granted to Franciscan nuns in 1229. Present church built 1567-1594 with a major endowment from Paolo Buonamici.
Origin Story
In 1229, Pope Nicholas IV granted the house of blessed Angelo Tancredi of Rieti, one of Saint Francis's first companions, to four women who wished to live as nuns under the Franciscan Rule. They built a chapel to San Stefano and gradually expanded. In 1566, the aristocrat Paolo Buonamici of Casperia, whose daughter and granddaughter were among the nuns, endowed the convent with 36,000 scudi, enabling the construction of the present church (1567-1594).
Key Figures
Blessed Angelo Tancredi
Early companion of Saint Francis, whose house became the convent's foundation
Paolo Buonamici
Aristocrat who endowed the convent with 36,000 scudi, enabling the present church's construction
Saint Clare of Assisi
Founder of the Poor Clares, to whom the church is dedicated
Spiritual Lineage
Franciscan / Poor Clare tradition. Part of the broader Franciscan presence in the Rieti Valle Santa.
Know a Sacred Site We Should Include?
Help us expand our collection of sacred sites. Share your knowledge and contribute to preserving the world's spiritual heritage.