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    Assisi

    Italy

    Assisi

    CityCulture

    Assisi is on Monte Subasio's west slope, above the Umbrian Plain. It's the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, and a major Italian pilgrimage site.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Umbria
    9. Assisi
    Assisi is on Monte Subasio's west slope, above the Umbrian Plain. It's the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare, and a major Italian pilgrimage site. The Basilica of San Francesco and other Franciscan sites have been UNESCO World Heritage since 2000. The Old Town runs along the slope between the western Basilica and Santa Chiara in the east.

    Sights in Assisi

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Basilica San Francesco
    Church

    1Basilica San Francesco

    The Basilica was built from July 1228, soon after Francis' canonization, on the city's western edge. It has two superimposed churches: The Gothic Upper Church displays a 28-scene cycle, attributed to Giotto, depicting the Saint's life. Cimabue, Simone Martini, and Pietro Lorenzetti painted in the Lower Church. Francis' tomb lies in the crypt beneath the main altar. Opening hours for Upper and Lower Churches differ; check in advance.
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    San Damiano
    Church

    2San Damiano

    The small church is located south of the Old Town. According to tradition, Francis heard the crucifix speak to him here in 1205 while praying, urging him to restore his crumbling house. From 1211, Clare lived with her sisters in the adjoining monastery; the community remained until 1260.
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    Santa Maria degli Angeli
    Church

    3Santa Maria degli Angeli

    The large domed church in the plain below Assisi was built from 1569 over the Porziuncola, a small chapel that today stands in the middle of the basilica under the dome. To the right, at the beginning of the choir, is the Cappella del Transito, the former infirmary of the monastery, where Francis died on October 3, 1226. The train station of Assisi is located in the same district.
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    Basilika Santa Chiara
    Church

    4Basilika Santa Chiara

    The Gothic church on the eastern edge of the old town was built between 1257 and 1265 after the death of Saint Clare. Its facade features layers of white and pink stone, and on the left side, three large flying buttresses from the late 14th century support the structure. In the Oratorio del Crocifisso, you'll find the original San Damiano Crucifix, and in the crypt, you can see Clare's remains in an urn through a grille.
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    Dom San Rufino
    Museum

    5Dom San Rufino

    The Cathedral in the upper part of the Old Town features a Romanesque facade with three rosettes, the lower part of which dates back to the 12th century. Inside, you'll find the baptismal font where Francis and Clare were baptized. The crypt, with 11th-century frescoes and a Roman sarcophagus, can be accessed via the adjacent Diocesan Museum.
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    Rocca Maggiore
    Attraction

    6Rocca Maggiore

    The castle on the hill above the old town was destroyed in 1198 during a popular uprising and largely rebuilt in its original forms in the 14th century by Cardinal Albornoz. In 1458, a polygonal tower was added, followed by a round bastion at the entrance in the 16th century. From the top, you overlook Assisi and the plain.
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    City walks in Assisi

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Quiet Paths on Monte Subasio: Francis' Place of Retreat

    This walk takes you high above Assisi to the Eremo delle Carceri, a place of deep silence and closeness to nature. Discover the caves and forests where Saint Francis meditated and prayed, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Umbrian landscape. A path that invites inner reflection and sheds light on the lesser-known, nature-loving side of the founder of the order.

    ~2 Std. 30 Min.
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    Stops (7)

    Food and Drink

    1

    Il Baccanale

    Small eatery on Via del Comune Vecchio near Piazza del Comune. Serving Umbrian dishes like Strangozzi, Torta al testo, and grilled meats, also coffee and light snacks during the day. Prices are moderate.
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    2

    Locanda del Podestà Restaurant

    Restaurant on Via San Giacomo, a few steps from the Basilica San Francesco. The menu is Umbrian with homemade pasta, truffle dishes, and meat. The rooms are small, reserve in advance for evenings.
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    3

    Nonna Nini

    Restaurant on Via San Rufino combining Italian cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences. A welcome change from the classic Umbrian trattorias of the old town.
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    Foods and Drinks

    In Assisi, you eat Umbrian: simple pasta, meat, legumes, and in autumn truffles.

    Strangozzi

    Eggless pasta, slightly thicker and shorter than Tagliatelle, classic with black truffle from Norcia.

    Torta al testo

    Flatbread, baked on a hot stone slab and filled with ham, sausage, or herbs.

    Rocciata

    Rolled, strudel-like pastry from Assisi, Foligno, and Spello. The name comes from the dialect word for 'wrapped'.

    Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco

    Red wines from nearby Montefalco, with Montefalco Sagrantino holding DOCG status.

    The Culture and History

    Roman RootsAssisi was the Roman city of Asisium, strategically laid out on terraces on Monte Subasio. The Temple of Minerva in Piazza del Comune prominently attests to this. Artifacts from this era are showcased at the Museo civico e Foro romano.Francis and ClareFrancis was born in 1181 or 1182 to Pietro di Bernardone and Madonna Pica. He died on October 3, 1226, and was canonized in 1228. From 1211, Clare notably founded a community of sisters in San Damiano. Francis, along with Catherine of Siena, is a patron saint of Italy.1997 EarthquakeOn September 26, 1997, an earthquake caused the vault of the Upper Basilica to collapse in two places, resulting in the deaths of two friars and two heritage authority employees. Approximately 130 square meters of medieval frescoes were destroyed. The Basilica remained closed for about two years for full restoration.FestivalsIn early May, the city celebrates Calendimaggio, a contest between the Parte de Sopra and Parte de Sotto, featuring vibrant scenes from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. On October 3 and 4, the Feast of Saint Francis is celebrated with much reverence.

    On the Road in Assisi

    On FootThe old town is steep and cobbled. The main axis runs from the Basilica San Francesco, via Piazza del Comune, to Santa Chiara.TrainAssisi train station is located about 5 kilometres southwest of the old town in Santa Maria degli Angeli, on the Terontola–Perugia–Foligno line.CarCheck the access rules for the old town and parking locations before your trip.

    Accommodations in Assisi

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    Nearby

    Perugia

    Perugia

    Perugia is the capital of Umbria and stretches across several hills. The city dates back to the Etruscan Phersna; a city gate and fountain from that era are preserved. At its center are the Piazza IV Novembre with the Fontana Maggiore, the Cathedral, and the Palazzo dei Priori with the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria. Perugia is home to the University of Perugia.
    Umbria

    Umbria

    Umbria in central Italy is the Apennine Peninsula's only landlocked region. Around 850,000 people live here; Perugia is its capital. The landscape shifts between hills, the Tiber Valley, Lake Trasimeno, and the mountains bordering Marche, where Monte Vettore, at 2,476 meters, is the highest peak. Numerous towns sit on hills, retaining their medieval character, including Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Todi, and Spoleto.
    Spoleto

    Spoleto

    Spoleto is located in Umbria on a hillside below the Rocca Albornoziana. The city was a Roman colony and, under the Lombards, the capital of a duchy. Among its most famous buildings are the Cathedral with frescoes by Filippo Lippi, the Ponte delle Torri, and the Roman Theatre. Every summer, it hosts the Festival dei Due Mondi.
    Orvieto

    Orvieto

    Orvieto is located in southwestern Umbria on a volcanic tuff plateau overlooking the Paglia Valley. The city dates back to an Etruscan settlement. It is known for its Gothic cathedral with a mosaic facade and frescoes by Luca Signorelli, the Pozzo di San Patrizio, and the many caves carved into the tuff beneath the city. The train station is at the foot of the rock, approximately 125 rail kilometers from Rome.
    Montepulciano

    Montepulciano

    Montepulciano sits in the south of Siena province on a roughly 605-meter limestone ridge. Its medieval and Renaissance old town culminates in Piazza Grande, home to the Town Hall and Cathedral. The city is famed for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wine, with many cellars nestled directly beneath the old town's palaces.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI