Guided Tour of Assisi: Discover the Essence of St. Francis' City

Highlights

• Small group tour
• Scenic route
• Optional Basilica interior visit

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Stop 1

   20min

   Inside, the Crucifix of San Damiano is preserved—which, according to tradition, spoke to Saint Francis—along with the crypt where the remains of Saint Clare, founder of the Poor Clares, rest.

2. 2

   Piazza del Comune

   15min

   A highlight is the Temple of Minerva, a Roman architectural gem featuring perfectly preserved Corinthian columns that now serves as a church (Santa Maria sopra Minerva). You will also see the Captain of the People’s Palace (Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo) and the Tower.

3. 3

   Chiesa Nuova

   20min

   Built in 1615 on the site traditionally identified as the birthplace of Saint Francis, where you can see the small cell where his father, Pietro di Bernardone, imprisoned him in an attempt to make him abandon his path of poverty.

4. 4

   Oratorio S. Francesco Piccolino

   10min

   According to local tradition, the saint’s mother, Donna Pica, gave birth to Saint Francesco right here to mimic the birth of Jesus in a manger.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   25min

   In the Sanctuary of the Despojo you will visit the striking glass tomb of Carlo Acutis, the "millennial saint".

6. 6

   Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi

   45min

   Lower Basilica: A space of recollection and gloom that houses the Crypt with the tomb of the Saint. Superior Basilica: A bright Gothic space containing the famous frescoes by Giotto, which narrate the life of San Francisco in 28 scenes. The reservation does not include entrance to the basilica with guide. On the guided tour of St. Francis Basilica, you have two options for explanation: Explanation inside : It has a supplement of 3 € per person. Explanation from the outside : It is done from the outside and has no supplement.

Before you go

Location