#Basilica Papale di San Francesco Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Churches and Cathedrals
Address:
Piazza Inferiore di S. Francesco, 06081 Assisi PG
Opening times:
Opens at 06:00-20:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
+39 075 819001
Peace ☮️ and Love 💗
📍 Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
🎟️ Free entry
It's considered one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, it is a beautiful expression of the Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Decorated with magnificent frescoes attributed to Giotto and Cimabue the Basilica includes the crypt, where the remains of San Francesco rest they are preserved.
Whether you believe or not, the sense of peace is tangible as soon as you enter the site, magical at sunset!
#valentinescape #urbanexplorer #awesomepic #tripblazers #bvalentinavb #italy #umbria #unescosite #instagramworthydestinations
valentinescape
urbanexplorer
Valentina Bee
One of the pilgrimage destinations for Catholics - the New Church of Assisi
The New Church of Assisi, as the burial site of Saint Francis and the mother church of the Franciscan Order, is one of the pilgrimage destinations for Catholics. It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2000.
Saint Francis (Saint Francis of Assisi), Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), also known as Francis of Assisi, Saint Francisco. 'Francis' is an old translation, and today it is transliterated as 'Francesco' according to Italian pronunciation. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, Italy, he lived a life of luxury in his youth, but after experiencing war, he had an epiphany in his twenties, renounced his wealth, and sought poverty and seclusion. He begged for a living, wore coarse monk's robes, and went to a small church outside the city every day to pray devoutly (the church he is holding in his hand), spreading the gospel everywhere, and his life was full of legends, attracting devout Christians from all over Western Europe to this small church.
Considering his influence, the Pope granted him the right to preach in hopes of suppressing the heretical doctrines that were emerging across Western Europe. From then on, Francesco led his followers to preach in marketplaces, under roadside trees, and even in threshing grounds, thus establishing the Order of Friars Minor. In paintings, Saint Francis is always depicted wearing a gray robe, and members of the Franciscan Order are also known as 'Greyfriars'. Many churches in Italy belong to the Franciscan Order, and the first missionaries to China were also members of the Order (during the Yuan and Ming dynasties).
Saint Francis is one of the earliest saints to be canonized by the Roman Church in popular hagiographies. The Franciscan Order he founded, along with the Carmelite Order and the Carthusian Order, were among the earliest mendicant orders serving the sick, orphans, the elderly, and education. The Franciscan Order is also widespread in China, and its affiliated nun orders still serve the last lepers in China today.
The cathedral and monastery were completed in 1253. The Basilica of Saint Francis consists of an upper and a lower church, one built on top of the other. If the crypt is included, there are actually three levels. The most famous part of the upper church is the 28 frescoes depicting the life of Saint Francis painted by Giotto.
The Giotto frescoes at the top were severely damaged in an earthquake in September 1997. The art-loving Italians spent 37 million euros and nearly 10 years painstakingly restoring the over 300,000 shattered fragments.
The crypt was sealed in the 15th century to prevent desecration by the laity and was not reopened until 1818. After the tomb was opened, the underground crypt of Saint Francis was added. The lower church is the burial place of Saint Francis, in Romanesque style with ribbed vaults, while the upper church has ribbed and pointed vaults, decorated with tracery windows. The upper church was severely damaged in a recent earthquake disaster. Both the upper and lower churches feature many religious frescoes painted by famous artists such as Giotto, Lorenzetti, and Pisano.
cassandra.lucindra.nightingale
Religious Holy City - Assisi
St. Francis Cathedral
Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi
6:00-20:00 Wednesday 6:00-18:45
Tour 1-2 hours free
Divided into upper and lower halls
Tour from bottom to top
The interesting thing about the St. Francis Basilica is that it is not "one" church, but two churches, upper and lower. The colored glass of the lower church adds some vitality to this solemn church. The central altar has four frescoes created by masters in the 14th century, corresponding to the four parables of St. Francis.
The upper church was built later than the lower one, with 28 frescoes around the walls. These frescoes depict scenes from the "New Testament" and "I Day Covenant", born in the Renaissance, and have a profound impact on the development of Western art. The top of the upper church collapsed in an earthquake in 1997, and it took 2 years to repair. You can still see where the old and new meet.
The murals on the top of the church are beautiful, most of them are from Giotto and his mentor Cimabue.
The St. Francis Church is the burial place of St. Francis of Assisi and the mother church of the Catholic Franciscan Order. It is listed as a World Cultural Heritage and is also an important Catholic pilgrimage site in Italy; now, this mountain is called Paradise Mountain.
WilliamMcGregor46
Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi is located in the small town of Assisi in central Italy, where Francis of Assisi is buried and is the mother church of the Franciscan Order. It is listed as a World Heritage Site and is an important Catholic pilgrimage site in Italy. This temple was built in 1228, built on the side of a hill, including the upper church and the lower church, the tomb where the remains of Saint Francis are placed, and the attached monastery.
Grace.Long@23
Umbria, those old times||
|Umbria, located in central Italy, covers an area of 8,457 square kilometers with a population of about 815,000. Its capital is Perugia, and other important cities include Terni, Assisi, Orvieto, Foligno, and Todi. The region is mountainous, and Lake Trasimeno is located within it. For a long time, Umbria has been considered a replica of Tuscany, but it has slowly emerged from the shadow of its western neighbor in recent years. With its picturesque countryside and mountains, Umbria is known as the "green heart of Italy." Additionally, the beautiful and mysterious medieval mountain villages and towns are one of the reasons why Umbria is famous.
The central position of Umbria is not limited to its geographical location. Visitors are always attracted by its amazing vitality and profound influence. Its natural beauty, ever-changing colors, visible historical imprints, and strong artistic atmosphere and cultural heritage can be seen everywhere. This area is home to many towns and attractions with great viewing value. Just a few miles away from an elegant and quaint small town, there is another charming and unique small town. In Umbria, art and architecture, cities and countryside, everything is so harmonious. Among them, the must-see historical sites are the cathedral of Orvieto and Spoleto. The magnificent palaces of Perugia, Todi, and Gubbio; the rectangular cathedral of Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis; the medieval-style towns of Narni, Amelia, Foligno, Gittadi Castello, and Todi; the quiet and bright Lake Trasimeno; the pure and open Narni Valley and the Sibillini Mountains, which have preserved many mysterious legends... Everyone who has stopped in Umbria has been intoxicated by its ever-changing and unique natural scenery. As early as the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, many artists competed to depict its beauty.
Umbrians are simple and hospitable, and distant guests can find the most complete and friendly service here. Many ancient monasteries, farmhouses, churches, and castles have been converted into rural villas, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and truly experience the rustic sentiment.
Italy · Europe
JamesonBrennan55
The lower floors of the church are dimly lit, all covered with gorgeous wet murals, all from the famous handwriting (the paintings by Cimabue, Martini, etc.). However, there is not enough light inside, you can only enjoy it with limited lighting and candlelight. On the right side of the main hall is the crucifixion of Christ. On the left is the life of Saint Francis. One of them is the classic of the Virgin and Child painted by Lorenzo. The Virgin stared at St. Francis and his face showed a very loving look. It is said that this picture is more moving under the setting sun, so it is also called "The Madonna at dusk". There are also many wet murals on the altar, which should be drawn by the disciples of Giotto. The small clothing room on the right still retains the costumes of St. Francis. The most important of the lower church is the Franciscans in the cellar and the tombs of his four followers. There are also priests who listen to the repentance and blessings of the lost. This mantle was closed in the 15th century to avoid being shackled by mortals until it was reopened in 1818. Going to the bottom of the lower church, there is a small chapel on the wall with the "Life of St. Martin" by Simon Martin, which is worth watching.
From the lower steps of the lower church you can climb to the upper church, with a small atrium in the middle, selling books and souvenirs. Compared with the lower church, the upper church was more affected by the earthquake. The most famous church in the upper class is the wet fresco of the life of St. Francis, drawn by Giotto, which is called Giotto's work. However, according to modern testimony, at least three painters participated in these 28 masterpieces.