We were out locally today and came across this extraordinary building, the abandoned Convent of Saint Francis, near Massa Fermana. Inside the building it felt like you were the first discoverer of an ancient and unknown ruin, though it is actually close to a village and must, obviously, be visited regularly. I took a number of photographs and will likely return to take more and so the single interior and exterior shots in this post are designed only to give you a taste of the building.

It would be fascinating to understand how this building came to be abandoned, and what might be planned for its future. The abandonment was clearly planned and organised with windows and fittings all carefully removed, but for now, much of the basic fabric looks sound and well capable of restoration.