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THE RECOLLOCATION OF THE WELL, a beginning for the recovery of San Francesco
ASCIANO - A significant intervention and a rather limited cost
Among the many treasures that our ancestors have left us there is certainly the monastic complex of San Francesco. Its degradation began with the "Napoleonic suppressions" of the monastic orders. In fact, reduced to state property, the convent was transformed into civil homes with continuous and relevant changes to adapt it to the needs of different families.
In the first half of the last century, even if originated by good intentions, a further destruction of the monastic complex was realized with the construction of the "Regina Elena Hospital", which almost completely demolished the front wall of the cloister.
On that occasion, perhaps to avoid its destruction, the well in the center of the old cloister was removed and transferred to the garden of the future Hospital. In its place was built the structure of a "modern" brick well and with a window equipped with a metal door. When the hospital was transformed into a school building, the well remained inside the garden, even if it was transferred to a hidden corner.
It would be very nice, since today the well no longer provides any service for the few inhabitants who still live in the convent, it could restore the original structure in travertine, which still looks well preserved. If, then, around the well shown in the original site, a small green space could be created delimited by travertine columns, the image of the chostro would be greatly enhanced.
Surely the many foreign guests who visit the place every year, on the occasion of the concerts organized by the Academy of the Crete Senesi, would certainly be surprised by the demonstration of good will in safeguarding and promoting a heritage that most of us demonstrate to appreciate.