Franciscan Monastery of Aghios Fragkiskos



This building complex is located on the street "Halidon"
and hosts the Archeological Museum
of the city. The building is preserved but most of its part has been renovated
with many modern interventions.
On its southern side there was a double arcade
(chiostro) with the rooms of the monks and other buildings.
Nowadays, the larger part of the arcade is incorporated and occupied by the houses
and stores that extend until the entrance of the newer Catholic Temple.
On the northern side of the church of Aghios Fragkiskos, the existence of a beautiful
garden is recorded on a map of the time, similar to the one preserved today
from the time the church was converted to a mosque.
The recent renovation works
have revealed the different construction phases of the temple, some of which
are in line with the urban development and reconstructions of the city through
time.
A part of the initial design of the temple is still visible in the middle
of today's temple.
Later interventions include the construction of three chapels
on the northern side, covered by cross-ribbed vaults bearing the gothic monogram
of Christ in their center, and the re-modeling of northern front of the temple.
In 1605, the extension of the temple to the east probably took place, which is obviously
connected to the creation of Ruga Magistra (Halidon Street) during
the city's reconstruction and the construction of the new fortification walls.
Another extension of the temple was probably realized during the Turskih period,
with a construction to west.
The base of
the bell tower is preserved on the eastern side of the monument.
During the Turkish period, the temple of Aghios Fragkiskos was converted into a mosque, the "Giousouf Pasha Tzamisi". Then, the minaret and the octagonal fountain were added in the courtyard. In the later years, it was again converted into a cinema and an entertainment center.

















