This complex is on the site of a palace that belonged to the Boccarini family, which was documented in Amelia from the late 13th century. It was ceded to the papal governor in 1410.
The palace was subsequently adapted as the convent of San Francesco. It enjoyed particular prestige in 1500-6, when Brother Egidio Delfini of Amelia was Minster General of the Franciscans. The cloister (illustrated above) dates to this period.
The complex is next heard of after the unification of Italy in 1860, when it was used as a college (the “Convitto Boccarini”). It passed to the Salesian Fathers in 1932.
It now house the important Museo Archeologico and the small Pinacoteca.