Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Tour

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Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Tour

Discover one of Italy’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites on this Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Tour. During this one-hour guided visit, you will explore the basilica’s architecture, sacred art and profound spiritual significance before visiting the tomb of St Francis.

Exterior of the Basilica of St Francis

Your tour begins outside the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, where your expert guide will introduce you to its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. As you admire the façade, entrance and rose windows, you will learn about the construction of this remarkable 13th-century basilica, begun shortly after the canonisation of St Francis. From the upper terrace, you can also enjoy panoramic views across the Umbrian countryside. Your guide will explain how the basilica became a major destination for Catholic pilgrims and the spiritual centre of the Franciscan Order.

The Upper Basilica and the Life of St Francis

Inside the Upper Basilica, soaring Gothic arches, stained-glass windows and extensive fresco cycles create a striking contrast with the building’s Romanesque exterior. Your guide will focus particularly on the celebrated cycle of frescoes traditionally attributed to Giotto and his workshop, depicting episodes from the life of St Francis. These works introduced a new sense of depth, emotion and movement into medieval Italian painting. Among the scenes your guide may discuss are:

• St Francis Renouncing His Worldly Possessions – depicting his rejection of material wealth and commitment to a life of poverty.
• The Sermon to the Birds – illustrating his love for God’s creation.
• The Stigmatisation of St Francis – portraying the mystical moment when he received the wounds of Christ.

The Upper Basilica brings together sacred storytelling and artistic innovation, helping pilgrims understand the life, mission and spirituality of St Francis.

The Lower Basilica

Your tour then continues into the Lower Basilica, a darker and more intimate space designed for prayer and contemplation. Its walls and vaulted ceilings are decorated with richly coloured frescoes illustrating biblical scenes and Franciscan themes. Here, your guide will introduce you to important works by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini, including:

• Cimabue’s Crucifixion – an important early fresco within the basilica.
• Pietro Lorenzetti’s Passion Cycle – a powerful depiction of the Passion and death of Christ.
• The Chapel of St Martin – decorated with frescoes by Simone Martini recounting the life of St Martin of Tours.

Together, these works reveal the development of medieval Italian art and the central place of the Passion of Christ within Franciscan spirituality.

The Tomb of St Francis

The tour concludes at the Tomb of St Francis, situated in the crypt beneath the Lower Basilica. This sacred place contains the remains of the saint and remains one of the principal destinations for Catholic pilgrims visiting Assisi. Your guide will explain the discovery of the saint’s remains in 1818 and the subsequent construction of the crypt. You will also have an opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer beside the tomb of the founder of the Franciscan Order. This Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Tour offers a concise but detailed introduction to the basilica’s Catholic history, sacred art and Franciscan spirituality. Read the Itinerary tab above for a summary of the different parts of the visit. You may also be interested in our longer Assisi City Walking Tour, our three-hour St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour, or our full Assisi Day Tour for Pilgrims. For those who wish to take this tour as a day trip from Rome, please contact us so that we can offer transportation advice and assistance.

Plan your Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi

Choose the experience that best fits your time and pilgrimage purpose with the Crucis guide to planning a Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi. Pilgrims travelling before 10 January 2027 can also read the St Francis Jubilee guide.

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