From Riches to Rags: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Assisi

Highlights

• Basilica of Saint Francis
• Piazza del Comune
• Temple of Minerva

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Stop 1

   Pass by

   Pass by the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis, built soon after his 1226 death above his tomb. See where humble beginnings gave rise to one of medieval Europe's greatest artistic and pilgrimage complexes. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

2. 2

   Piazza del Comune

   Pass by

   Stroll into Piazza del Comune, Assisi's civic heart since Roman times, framed by the Temple of Minerva, Torre del Popolo, and Palazzo del Podestà. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   Pass by

   Pass by the Temple of Minerva, a Roman temple from Augustus's era later reused as a church, prison, and civic building. Its columned façade has survived over two thousand years. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   Pass by

   Walk along to San Rufino Cathedral, Assisi's main church, where both Saint Francis and Saint Clare were baptized. Its Romanesque façade remains one of Umbria's finest. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   Pass by the Basilica of Saint Clare, built with pale pink and white stone from Mount Subasio, simple and bare compared to Francis's grand basilica. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   Stroll toward the Rocca Maggiore, the medieval fortress towering above Assisi, once used to defend and control the city. Sweeping views stretch over the Umbrian Valley below. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   Walk along to the Chiesa Nuova, built over the childhood home of Saint Francis, marking his transformation from a wealthy merchant's son to a man of faith. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   Pass by the Roman Forum, hidden beneath Piazza del Comune, revealing ancient foundations and artifacts that show Assisi's life centuries before its medieval streets took shape. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Before you go

Location