During the 18th century an event occurred in Lanciano that the Catholic church considered to be the first Eucharistic miracle. The tradition story tells of a Basiliano Monk who while celebrating mass, doubted the presence of Christ in the Eucharist; immediately the sacramental bread transformed into flesh and the wine into blood. Since then the relics of this miracle have been conserved in the Basilica of San Francesco, constructed on the site of the church in which this event occurred. The church had been built in 1258 in the place of a previous one that dated back to the 7th century and was dedicated to the Saints Legonziano and Domiziano. Between 1730 and 1745 the shrine was the subject of a huge enlargement project in line with the aesthetic tastes of that period, which gave it its current baroque appearance, with a large and high single nave. The relics of the miracle of the Eucharist are located at the main altar. The sacramental bread and the chalice with the five clots of blood appeared, are permanently on display at the altar, this is a destination for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year. (between 1970 and 1981 the relics underwent numerous scientific analyses that confirmed that both the sacramental bread and the dark spots were, in fact made of real human blood tissue). The church, considered the oldest in Lanciano was already in existence in 1059. The bell tower was constructed in 1345 as can be seen by the inscription on one of its sides. The main façade is positioned on a high ledge interrupted near the entrance. The crypt, accessible through a narrow stone doorway, has two naves with apses, aligned parallel to the church above. The bell tower constructed in 1345 on the posterior part of the church has a solid construction in bare brick decorated with ‘cappuccina’ style cornices. Today only two of the 6 original  altars remain, located near the presbytery. The restoration work for the 2000 jubilee year restored the church to its original 18th century splendour.