Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is the mother church of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual and the resting place of Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscans. Construction began in 1228, two years after the saint's death and the year of his canonization, and the principal structure was consecrated in 1253 in the Umbrian hill town where Francis was born, lived and died.
The basilica is unusual in comprising two churches built one above the other, an Upper Church flooded with light through tall Gothic windows and a more solemn, darker Lower Church, with the saint's tomb in a crypt below. Its walls are covered with one of the most important fresco cycles of Italian art, including works attributed to Giotto, Cimabue, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti, marking a pivotal moment in the development of Western painting.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the basilica is among the most important pilgrimage destinations in Italy and a touchstone of Franciscan spirituality. Despite damage in the 1997 earthquake, it was carefully restored and continues to draw pilgrims and art lovers to its celebrated frescoes.
- Annual visitors
- ≈ 4,000,000
- Location
- 43.0747, 12.6056
- Local time
- 00:39 (Europe/Rome)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sun | 08:30–18:00 |
Upper Basilica 8:30-18:00 (no entry after 17:45); Lower Basilica and tomb open from 6:00. Free entry.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint Francis of Assisi Saint
His tomb lies in the crypt beneath the high altar; the basilica was built to house his body
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Saint Clare of Assisi Saint
Depicted in the frescoes of the San Martino Chapel in the Lower Basilica
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Saint Martin of Tours Saint
San Martino Chapel frescoed with his life by Simone Martini (1313-1318)
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Saint Mary Magdalene Saint
Dedicated chapel in the Lower Basilica with frescoes from Giotto's workshop
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Saint Catherine of Alexandria Saint
Chapel in the Lower Basilica frescoed with eight scenes of her life (1368-1369)
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Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Saint
Depicted among the saints in the San Martino Chapel
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Blessed Brother Leo Blessed
Close companion of Francis, buried beside the saint's tomb in the crypt
Care & donations
Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Sacro Convento)
Donations accepted via the Sacro Convento (sanfrancescoassisi.org)
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