Essential Places for Pilgrimage in Assisi to Enrich Your Faith Journey
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Assisi, an epicenter of pilgrimage in Italy, is one of the most pilgrimed towns in Italy, housing the remains of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, and Bl. Carlos Acutis. One may feel overwhelmed to plan a trip here with its rich history but don't fret, the EWTN Travel team picked 8 spots around Umbria to take the pressure off of your journey. In the video, we show how you can see them all in two days. Let's get started.
Estimated Time: 8 hours
Places to Visit
Day 1
1. Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
2. Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
3. Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Day 2
7. San Damiano
Extra
8. The Sanctuary of the Hermitage of Carceri
For our other Top Itineraries, please see the Rome Highlights - Self Guided Tour, the Major Papal Basilicas Tour, and the Vatican Museums Tour. For more sites, please visit the Churches in Rome Map.
Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
Third Church St. Francis Rebuilt, Home of the Early Franciscan Friars, Site of St. Francis' Death
Around 1205, St. Francis established his home here, restoring it and founding the Franciscan Order (1209). This was the third church restored by the saint after San Damiano and San Pietro della Spina. The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels was built between 1569 and 1679. Its structure incorporates the structures of the Franciscan Convent built near the Porziuncola. A few meters from the Porziuncola, there is the Cappela del Transito, or the infirmary cell where St. Francis died on October 3, 1226.
The rose garden located to the right of the apse of the basilica is famous for an event that involved St. Francis: one night, in fact, the saint, overcome by strong doubts and remorse for sin, rolled naked in the thorny rosebush. According to tradition, this rose bush lost all its thorns upon contact with the body of the saint, so as not to cause him any harm. Even today, the rose bush blooms without thorns.
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Grand Basilica Hosting the Body of St. Francis of Assisi
The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi. It is a papal minor basilica and one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. With its accompanying friary, Sacro Convento, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill comprising of two superimposed churches, an Upper Church and a Lower Church, along with a crypt where the remains of St. Francis are interred.
Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
Sanctuary of the Incorrupt Body of St. Carlos Acutis, Known as the "Sanctuary of Spoliation" of St. Francis
Built atop the ruins of a Roman temple, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded by Bishop Savinio in the 4th century. Former cathedral of Assisi. According to tradition, this is the location where St. Francis renounced all worldly possessions and is where St. Claire began her life of conversion. The sanctuary hosts the incorrupt body of St. Carlos Acutis, the first millenial saint.
Basilica of St. Clare
Basilica Dedicated To and Containing the Major Relics of St. Clare of Assisi
The Basilica was built next to the ancient Church of San Giorgio, the site of the first burial of both Sts. Francis and Clare. The construction of the Basilica and Monastery began in 1257, two years after the canonization of St. Clare. The body of St. Clare is place under the high alter. Upon entering the church, from the right side of the nave is the Chapel of Saint George. Here is kept the precious Crucifix which spoke to the young St. Francis in the church of San Damiano.
From the stairs, located at the level of the second span of the Basilica, one may access the crypt where the mortal remains of St. Clare are venerated.
New Church - Chiesa Nuova
The Paternal House and Birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi
Known by locals as Chiesa Nuova or New Church, tradition has it that the sanctuary was built on the site of the house of Saint Francis. Up until 1615, the Friars Minor, with the financial contribution of Philip III, King of Spain, tranfsormed the site into a Church. Site where St. Francis of Assisi was imprisoned by his father. In the small square in front of the church, two statues by the sculptor Joppolo have been place, depicting the parents of Saint Francis.
Cathedral of San Rufino
Cathedral in Honor of St. Rufino, Patron of Assisi, Site of Sts. Francis and Clare's Baptism
The Cathedral of St. Rufino has undergone three phases of construction, renovated and redesigned throughout the centuries. Inside, glass panels line the floor where one can see the ruins of the old 11-th century church. St. Francis grew up in the shadow of St. Rufino who is the Patron saint of Assisi. On both sides of the entrance there is a statue of Sts. Francis and Clare, who were baptized here. Curious travelers can also browse the Museum of the Cathedral and Crypt of San Rufino.
San Damiano
A Monastery Near Assisi Where St. Francis Heard the Call to Go and Repair the Church, Monastery of St. Clare
Built in the 12th century, San Damiano is where St. Francis heard the call by God to, "go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins!" Afterwards, St. Francis took action to physically repair the structure of the San Damiano church, eventually realizing God's message was to repair the entire Catholic Church. This convent then became the home of St. Clare where she sought to grow her community.
The San Damiano cross which was said to speak to Francis currently hangs in the Basilica of St. Clare in Assisi. Located inside the convent is a wooden cross at the site of St. Clare's death.
The Sanctuary of the Hermitage of Carceri
Hermitage of St. Francis of Assisi and Other Saints
Located 2.4m away from the center of Assisi, the white building nestles in a quiet lane surrounded by mountains. This is the hermitage of the Carceri where St. Francis and his followers were praying and meditating. Within the Hermitage is a small cloister, friary, a chapel dedicated to Santa Maria Maddalena, an ancient Oratory dedicated to Saint Mary, and the Cave of Saint Francis.