The Basilica of St Bernardino all'Osservanza

The Refectory

The refectory was built in its present form between 1696 and 1704. It consists of a vast room with ribbed lunette vaults and simple and elegant stucco decorations, and exerts a considerable impact upon entrance. The monumental painting of the Last Supper (a staggering 2 to 7 meters in size) of Sienese priest Francesco Franci, dated 1710, was placed on the wall at the bottom of this room after its restoration in 2003. It is a recurrent theme in the refectories of religious communities, commemorating Christ’s supper with his apostles before his sacrifice.