Assisi: Full-Day Tour Including St. Francis Basilica – Umbria, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

After meeting your guide at 10:30 AM, you will visit the Basilica of Saint Francis, which is world-famous for its 13th-14th century frescoes by the best painters of Italy at that time. Among those, the most famous is Giotto. From there, you will head to the main city square, Piazza del Comune. At the square, you will see one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy — Minerva’s temple — which is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings. 

You will then head down to the old Roman ruins of the local amphitheater, which was reused in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stones to build local houses. You will see how the amphitheater was turned into a private neighborhood. From there, the view toward the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Through narrow alleys and medieval squares you will reach Saint Rufino’s Cathedral and Saint Claire’s Basilica. 

After free time for lunch, in the afternoon you will explore Sanctuaries and Franciscan Sites outside Assisi by driver and guide. 

Your tour will start with the visit of Eremo Delle Carceri. “Carceri” is a metaphoric name given to this place which is nowadays an impressive old Franciscan friary built in the 15th C. on the mountain slopes. It incorporates the grottoes that were used by Saint Francis as a retreat. From there, you will also enjoy one of the most stunning views over the Umbrian Valley below. 

After the hermitage you will be taken to the sanctuary of Saint Damiano, which is the place of Saint Francis’ vocation. It is here, that the vision of the crucifix advising Francis to fix his church is said to have taken place. It was the starting point of Francis’ new experience as a friar in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 

The last part of your tour will take you to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, which protects the tiny Porziuncola under its gigantic dome. This is the very small chapel where Francis and his first companions founded the Franciscan community, and also the place where Saint Francis passed away. 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Visit the St. Francis Basilica
Experience the Porziuncola
See the Eremo delle Carceri

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