Former Capuchin church and monastery

The church, dedicated to St. Francis, is known as the Capuchins' church, because of the friars who have been in charge of it for a couple of centuries. The small yet precious church and the Capuchins' monastery were built in 1608-1610 on the orders and at expense of Francesco Gonzaga, a brother of St. Aloysius, the glory of Castiglione. Father Francesco da Cornegliano, who had already worked in Mantua for the Gonzaga's, has drawn the simple church.
It stands on the top of a hill and it still holds the relics of prince Francesco, his wife Bibiana di Pernestein, his son Luigi and some daughters. A precious ebony reliquary preserves the wooden statue of Our Lady of the walnut and the Child, which was miraculously carved by a divine hand, according to the legend.
The statue was given to Francesco, as he was considered to be the only one worthy to preserve it for public devotion.