The construction of the Church of San Francesco was promoted by the Order of Franciscan friars in the place where around the year 600 the abbot Sant’Antonino had already founded an oratory dedicated to San Martino, the Bishop of Tours, overlooking the sea.
The jewel in the crown of this complex is the ancient Benedictine cloister that blends the original features of the 1300s with features from successive eras.
A small oasis of peace and serenity, it is without doubt one of the places most visited by people strolling through Sorrento. The cloister has some architectural peculiarities. All the decorations on the vaults of the arches belong to relics from pagan temples and other ancient settlements.
This is the reason why arcades of tuff arches alternate with round arches resting on octagonal columns surmounted by capitals, each one different from the other.
As well as being a special place for lovers of art and culture, the Sorrento Cloister is in a prime position for civil and international weddings.