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Assisi’s most famous Saints, St. Francis and St. Clare, were baptized in the Cathedral of San Rufino.
The city’s Cathedral is the third church erected on the spot to contain the remains of St. Rufino. The Saint was martyred in 238 after he converted the city to Christianity.
The Cathedral was partly built on top of a Roman cistern; its construction started in 1140.
The exterior of the church still shows the original Umbrian Romanesque style in which it was built, while the interior were completely modified during the late Renaissance period.
The façade was built with stones from Monte Subasio. Assisi is located on its slopes.
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The Crypt located beneath the Cathedral is part of the previous Church built in 1030. The columns and the capitals are Roman remains as the sarcophagus with the myth of Diana that according to tradition contains St. Rufino’s vestiges.
The Cathedral houses also the Museo Capitolare that contains frescoes and parts of the pre-existing churches.
The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is located at the foot of the hill of Assisi. It was built in the late 16th century to enclose the Porziuncola, the 9th century little church where a young St. Francis understood his vocation and started the Franciscan movement.
The Basilica was built to better accommodate the vast number of pilgrims that every year were visiting the Porziuncola. It is the seventh largest Christian church; it was designed in a Mannerist style by two famous architects Galeazzo Alessi and Vignola.
In 1832 an earthquake partly destroyed the Basilica. The reconstruction initially remodeled the façade in a neoclassical style but later it was given back to its original pre-Baroque style.
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The church houses the Cappella Del Transito where St. Francis died in 1226. The chapel is decorated with frescoes and houses the Rope of St. Francis.
The Porziuncola (Little Portion) is decorated by artist from different ages. The sober interior is in a simple gothic style with frescoes. Ilario da Viterbo painted the outstanding six-part fresco located in the apse.
Right outside the Basilica is located the Rose Garden, the last remains of the woods where St. Francis and his friars lived.
Taking a stroll around the stunning Piazza del Comune Assisi’s history unfolds itself through the historic buildings that adorn it. On the North side of the Piazza is located the Roman Temple of Minerva converted in the Middle Ages into a Christian church: San Donato. Now the church is called Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. (Santa Maria over Minerva)
Next to the Temple there is the beautiful Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, a 13th century building. The original of this building can be seen in the frescos of the life of St. Francis in the basilica. The Fresco shows the building without the tower. Restored in 1927 its original look was considerably modified including an ornate series of merlons added in 1932. The Palace was the first public building of the Piazza. The adjoining Torre del Popolo was built as a judiciary for the “Captain of People” in 1274. A bell was added in 1926 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of St. Francis’ death.
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On the south side of Piazza del Comune there are two characteristics medieval buildings: Palazzo del Governatore, the tallest public building in Assisi, and Palazzo dei Priori. Both were used as residencies for the Governors and the Priors.
The Post-Office building is the most recent one. It was built in 1926 where once the church of San Nicolo’ stood.
The Piazza is also embellished by the Fontana dei Tre Leoni erected in 1762.
One of the most famous followers of St. Francis was St. Clare. This young and beautiful girl from a noble family was so inspired by Francis that she ran away from her home and family and dedicated her life to God. She became the founder of the monastic Order of Saint Clare that still counts thousands of members. A beautiful basilica in Assisi is dedicated to her.
The construction of the Basilica of Saint Clare started in 1257 right after St. Clare canonization. The church is a perfect example of simple Gothic interior with frescoes and painting. Unfortunately many frescoes were lost during the 17th century, but it is still possible to admire some beautiful examples of 13th century frescoes by Giotto’s students.
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The Façade was built with the typical white and pink stone of Assisi. Its Campanile (bell tower) is the tallest in the city.
St. Clare’s body is on display in the Neo-Gothic crypt underneath the church. Right in front of the Basilica the terrace Piazza Santa Chiara offers a stunning view over the Umbra Valley.
Immediately after the canonization of St. Francis in 1228 the construction of the Basilica was begun. The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.
The Basilica is still one of the main places of pilgrimage in Italy.
Maestro Jacopo Tedesco, one of the most important architects of the time, designed the church. The style chosen is a perfect blend between Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Brother Elias of Cortona, one of the first followers of St. Francis, personally followed the construction.
The Basilica is composed of two Churches, The Upper and Lower ones, and a Crypt where the vestiges of the Saint are still preserved.
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The Churches are decorated with frescoes painted by some of the most famous artist of the period: Cimabue, Giotto, Piero Lorenzetti and in all probability Pietro Cavallini.
Right next to the Basilica there is the Franciscan monastery called the Sacro Convento. The friary is now house to a museum and a library. The museum offers collections of art’s works entirely donated by pilgrims while the library has a vast assortment of medieval codices.
Give us the opportunity to help you discover the unique Assisi and Umbria Region.
The history of Assisi started in 1000 BC when the first Umbrian settlement was founded on this rich land. The Etruscans occupied the area and ruled for 200 years. When the Romans started to conquer central Italy they created a prosperous city. Their presence is still visible, thanks to the many well preserved buildings, which include villas, an amphitheater and the City walls. Until the 13th centuries those were the perimeter of the town.
In the Medieval times the city was under the papal jurisdiction. The Rocca Maggiore, an imperial fortress, was rebuilt to ensure stability. Assisi continued its development during the Renaissance as many 17th century palaces can testify. The city is now mostly famous for the numerous and beautiful churches, its spiritual allure and last but not least amazing food and wine!
Assisi’s fame is strictly connected with the story of S. Francis. The Saint is famous all around the world not only for his religious fervor but also for his love for nature and his messages of peace.
In 1997 two devastating earthquakes hit the region. Immense damages were caused to several historical sites, but the restoration has been extraordinary.
In 2000 the UNESCO nominated the Franciscan complex of Assisi a World Heritage Site.
Things to see
The city offers you many attractions. The famous Basilica of San Francesco is unique being composed by two different churches, the Upper and the Lower ones, plus a crypt where for almost six hundreds years the remains of Saint Francis were hidden. The Basilica of St. Clare in contrast exemplifies simplicity. Very distinctive is the city’s Cathedral dedicated to St. Rufino, who was martyred after he converted the city to Christianity. The Basilica is partly built on top of a Roman cistern.
There is more to Assisi than just religious history. The Rocca Maggiore Castle dominates the city from a hill; the views from its towers are breathtaking. The Roman amphitheater now houses a beautiful garden, while in the Piazza del Comune you will find beautiful examples of medieval Palazzi and a beautiful 16th century fountain.
