St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour
This St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour is designed for pilgrims who wish to see most of the major sites of Assisi in one tour. Whether that be people who are staying in Assisi, or for people travelling to Assisi on a day trip – this tour is designed for pilgrims.
You will begin by meeting your expert local guide at the Basilica of St Francis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – who will explain the Romanesque and Gothic exterior before leading you inside this stunning 13th century Basilica.
Your guide will help you explore the Upper Basilica of St Francis explaining the key features including the beautiful cycle of frescoes by Giotto to explain the life of St Francis of Assisi. You will then be led with your guide to the Lower Basilica of St Francis to marvel at more frescoes of Giotto in addition to frescoes of Cimabue and Lorezetti. A darker and more intimate atmosphere designed for prayer and reflection, you will then see the Tomb of St Francis – one of the major pilgrimage sites of Italy.
From this centre of Franciscan spirituality, you will then venture on a beautiful walk through the picturesque streets of the city of Assisi visiting the Stone Masons Guild, the Pilgrims Hospital that became a Grain Exchange, before settling in the main city square. There, your friendly guide will point out the 1st century BC Roman Temple of Minerva, the City Hall, Medieval Palaces, and the fascinating frescoes on the ceiling of the Painted Vault Alley.
From there you will continue on to the Chiesa Nuova built over St Francis’ house, before exploring the Basilica of St Clare of Assisi that is now home to the miraculous iconographic Crucifix that Christ used to speak to St Francis.
From there you will continue down the hill to the grand 17th century Renaissance and Baroque Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. Your guide will first show you the Portiuncola Church (or Porziuncola) housed within the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, which is the tiny chapel where St Francis founded the Franciscans and received the ‘Pardon of Assisi’ Indulgence.
From there your guide will show you the famous Rose Garden that St Francis famously used to protect his chastity, before continuing to the Museum to see artifacts and relics related to St Francis and the Franciscan Order. Your guide will then take you to the spot where St Francis died – the poignant Chapel of the Transito, to contemplate the life of this great saint.
Read the Itinerary tab above to learn in more detail of the St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim tour places you will visit. A great preparation for this tour, for those visiting Rome first, would be the Religious Life Tour which puts into context the development of the religious orders from contemplative monasticism to the apostolic mendicant orders like the Franciscans.
For those who wish to do this tour as a day trip from Rome, please contact us so we can offer you transportation advice and assistance.
| MEETING POINT | Ristorante Bar San Francesco, Via San Francesco 52, 06081 Assisi PG | ||||
| FINISHING LOCATION | Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli | ||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | 2 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays | ||||
| DURATION | Approx. 4 hours. You should finish around 6 pm | ||||
| DRESS CODE | Comfortable clothing, covering shoulders and knees | ||||
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Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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The History and Basilica of St Francis
You begin your tour learning of the life of St Francis and visiting the magnificent Basilica of St Francis where your expert guide will entertain you with the fascinating life and death of St Francis and the most important features of the Basilica of St Francis.
Relaxing City Walk
After enjoying the beautiful Basilica of St Francis, you then have the opportunity to meander through the picturesque city streets of Assisi where your guide will explain the Stone Masons Guild, the Pilgrims Hospital that became the Grain Exchange, before resting in the atmospheric City Square.
City Square
Soaking up the atmosphere, your guide will point out the City Hall, the medieval palaces, the ancient 1st century BC Temple of Minerva, and the famous frescoes of the Painted Vault Alley.
Chiesa Nuova
Continuing your journey, your expert guide will then lead you to the famous Chiesa Nuova – built over the house of St Francis of Assisi where your guide explains the main features, stories and history of this famous site.
Basilica of St Clare
From there, you will make your way accompanied by your guide to the beautiful Basilica of St Clare to see the miraculous iconographic crucifix that spoke to St Francis and learn more about the Basilica’s architecture and art.
Portiuncola and the Basilica of St Mary & the Angels
From there. you will continue to learn about the origins of the Franciscan order and it’s relationship to the earlier Benedictine monastic order at the Portiuncola church nestled within the Basilica of St Mary & the Angels.
In the square outside the entrance to the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi
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