Location: Assisi
Top Things to do in Assisi
The 10 Best Churches & Cathedrals in Assisi, Umbria
Best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy's patron saint, Assisi lies amid Umbria's rolling hills. Religious pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco (where St. Francis is buried) and the Basilica of Santa Chiara (to see the tomb of St. Clare). Visit the Eremo delle Carceri to see caves where medieval hermits withdrew from the world. (You may find such solitude quite appealing—especially if you're here on a daytrip from Rome!)
Restaurants in Assisi
1. San Damiano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,244 reviews
The church of San Damiano was restored by St. Frances of Assisi and later served as home for St. Clare.
Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia
Quite a pilgrimage walk to get there if following the signs from near St Clare’s Basilica but gorgeous views on the way and steps or ramp to walk on. Once there a self guided tour through the sacred spaces where St Clare and her sisters lived, worked and prayed and where St Francis wrote hie famous Canticle to Creation. It is definitely worth the effort to get there !
2. Chiesa Di San Pietro
3. Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
4. Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,825 reviews
Reviewed By KatrinaMolini - Corciano, Italy
I love the Basilica and Assisi in general. We always bring our guests here and they like it a lot. It’s the best to enter the Basilica from the Lower Square (or Plaza). You have to wear a modest outfit (covered shoulders is a must) and keep silence at all times. There are some covers (one time use) at the entrance. There is no fee to visit the Basilica. After entering the Basilica via Lower Church, visit the Tomb of St. Francis of Assisi and proceed to the Cloister of Sixtus IV and the Upper Church (or Upper Basilica and exit to the Upper Square and from here visit the city of Assisi. We also visited the free treasury museum, which is located on the upper level in the cloister. On the same level there is a gift shop too. It’s quite big and sells a huge variety of items. They also usually have some temporary exhibitions in the cloisters. Very interesting. My favorite part though is in the upper church of basilica- the colorful ceiling and Giotto’s frescoes that tell the story of St. Francis of Assisi. Always a pleasure to admire the artworks like that and the architecture of the complex. You will enjoy even if you are not religious. This landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
5. Basilica Superiore di San Francesco d' Assisi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By Elgiecg - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Church is rich in history, the scenic View was awesome and very privileged to have visited the Basilica. Saint Francis was born and died in Assisi.
6. Basilica di Santa Chiara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,421 reviews
Built onto the original Chapel of St. George, this Cathedral is where St. Clare of Assisi was buried in a crypt in 1872.
Reviewed By chatwinesque - Lisbon, Portugal
Behind an unremarkable exterior, the inside of this basilica is surprisingly beautiful - austere, with a few fading beautiful frescoes and the famous "talking" crucifix, an Orthodox-like piece of art worth the visit in itself, and the tomb of Saint Claire in the crypt.
7. Monastero Clarisse S. Quirico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
8. Cattedrale di San Rufino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 795 reviews
First built as early as the 5th century, this historic church features the baptismal font of St. Francis, St. Clare and Emperor Frederick II.
Reviewed By chatwinesque - Lisbon, Portugal
San Ruffino is the cathedral of Assisi - especially remarkable for its beautiful - austere and graceful - façade, and a spacious and light interior, where the baptismal basin where Saint Francis and Saint Claire were baptized almost disappears under flowers and an iron grille. I didn't see the museum, but they say is good.
9. Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli - Porziuncola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,979 reviews
This Basilica was started in 1569 to the designs of Galeazzo Alessi, and features a statue of the Madonna in bronze gilt by G. Colasanti and an interior whose architectural style is Doric.
Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia
St Francis started his good works in prayer inside this little original chapel encased by the huge Basilica. Go there to experience the mystery
10. Chiesa Nuova
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