Church of San Francesco d'Assisi and Dali Sculpture, Matera

One of the few saints who are also highly valued outside of Christianity is San FRANCESCO, known in German-speaking countries as Francis of Assisi. Francis was born in Assisi in 1181/82 and died in 1226. In his youth, the son of wealthy parents, he was more of a bon vivant, but later turned to Christ. In the half-ruined little church of San Damiano, located on the hillside outside the city walls of Assisi, he was praying one day and heard the voice of Christ coming down from the cross, calling on him to “rebuild his church”. At first he took this request literally and restored the church building; later he realized that this was primarily about the church as the community of believers.
Francis became a role model for many people, they joined him, and the "Order of Friars Minor" (Ordo Fratrum Minorum) of Francis of Assisi was created.

The Church of San Francesco d'Assisi, which stands in a prominent position at the end of Via del Corso and at the beginning of Via Ridola, on the edge of the large, clear and luminous square of the same name, presents us with a large and regular baroque facade of the 18th century, although it originally dates back to the 13th century, having been rebuilt several times until it reached its current appearance. The facade, designed by the architects Vito Valentino and Tommaso Pennetta, is harmoniously arranged on two floors, divided laterally by cornices in string rows and crossed by pilasters ending in narrow acroteris connecting the two parts.
Source and further information: sassiweb.it/matera-podcast/il-piano/san-francesco/?lang=en

The special highlight is on the square in front of the church, one of the famous sculptures by Salvatore Dali "the dancer on the piano".