Assisi
Assisi is a town and comune in the province of Perugia, in the Umbria region, set on the western flank of Monte Subasio. Birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, it is one of the most important pilgrimage and art centres in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic pilgrimage town (comune)
- Period
- Roman origins; medieval Franciscan flowering
- Style
- Roman, Romanesque and Gothic
- Location
- Slopes of Monte Subasio, province of Perugia, Umbria
Overview
Assisi climbs the western slopes of Monte Subasio above the Umbrian plain. The town is inseparably linked to Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan order, and to Saint Clare, founder of the Poor Clares. Its medieval centre and the great Basilica of San Francesco draw pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
History
Assisi has Roman origins, visible still in surviving structures such as the temple in the main square. In the late 12th and early 13th centuries it became the setting for the life of Saint Francis, whose movement transformed the town into a major centre of Christian devotion. The basilica raised in his honour was begun shortly after his canonisation.
What you see
The Basilica of San Francesco, with its upper and lower churches, is famous for its fresco cycles and is the focal point of the town. Other landmarks include the Basilica of Santa Chiara, the cathedral of San Rufino, and a Roman temple façade overlooking the central piazza. Medieval streets and walls climb the hillside toward the Rocca Maggiore fortress.
Cultural significance
Assisi and its Franciscan sites are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their religious and artistic importance. The town is a defining place in the history of European art and spirituality, central to the Franciscan tradition and to the development of Italian fresco painting.
Practical information
Assisi is an open historic town; the basilicas and museums keep their own opening hours, and dress codes apply at religious sites. Check the official municipal and basilica websites for current times and visiting rules before arriving.
Getting there
Assisi is served by the Assisi–Santa Maria degli Angeli railway station on the plain below the town, on the line linking Perugia, Foligno and Rome. Buses connect the station to the hilltop centre. By road it is reached from Perugia, roughly 25 km to the north-west.