Day Trip to Assisi From Rome
Discover a Medieval Assisi full of Charm on this Private Tour in the Comfort of your own Vehicle with a Driver-Guide
This itinerary is ideal for tourists interested in walking in the footsteps of Saint Francis on this private day trip to Assisi from Rome. For those who appreciate architectural, historical and religious attractions related to the life of the saint. Highlights include a visit to the church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, where St Francis prayed and died, the church where the saint’s mission was revealed to him and the main highlight, the Basilica of St Francis, is where the body is buried.
- Pick-up and drop off with luxury transport and driver
- Tour in Assisi with customized attention on this day trip to Assisi from Rome
- Discover the places that marked the life of Saint Francis of Assisi
- Departing from your hotel or accommodation in Rome to Assisi
SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI
The Church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli is a church that was built between 1569-1679 on top of another church, the Chapel of the Portiuncula as a way to protect it. In fact, this is a large church and it is considered the seventh largest Christian church in the world.
The Capela da Portiúncula is a small church, which is located inside the Church of Degli Angeli. Built in the 4th century, it is the holiest place of the Franciscan Order. After all, it was in this small chapel that Saint Francis of Assisi died, on the night of October 3, 1226. Furthermore, it was in the Chapel of Porziuncula that Saint Francis of Assisi understood his vocation. It was there that he decided to live in poverty and where the Franciscan movement began.
He also says that it was in the Porziuncula Chapel that he had a vision of Jesus and Mary talking to him about the Forgiveness of Assisi. The Forgiveness of Assisi consists of the message that anyone who prayed there would obtain the forgiveness of all their sins.
DETAILS TO KNOW:
– the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is outside Assisi, in the communal fraction of Santa Maria degli Angeli. That’s why it has this name.
– It is in this church that Francis’ steps through the city of Assisi begin.
– Unfortunately, you cannot take pictures inside.
SAINT RUFINO’S CATHEDRAL OF ASSISI
In a city that has so many important saints, and that each one has their own church, being the city’s Cathedral is not for any church! In this sense, the Duomo di San Rufino is the Cathedral of the city of Assisi and must be visited. Built in the 12th century, the Cathedral of São Rufino de Assis houses the baptismal font where Saint Francis and Santa Clara are supposed to have been baptized.
The story goes that it was in front of this cathedral that Saint Francis stripped himself of all his possessions. It was even where he took off the clothes he was wearing, and returned them to his father, taking his vow of poverty and conversion.
Also, the Cathedral has a museum, the Cathedral Museum, which is also located in Piazza de San Rufino.
Be sure to pay attention to the fact that next to the Duomo di San Rufino is the House of Santa Clara. By the way, another important saint in the city is Santa Clara. It was in this house that she spent her youth. At the entrance of the house there is a small oratory.
Close by is the Basilica di Santa Clara.
BASILIC OF SANTA CLARA
Santa Clara was a disciple of Saint Francis and founder of the Order of Clarissas, also known as “Poor Ladies”. In fact, this is the female branch of the Franciscan Order. So, the Basilica of Saint Clara honors Santa Clara.
The Church of Saint Clara de Assis is the second most important church in the city. It is also one of the best known Christian locations in the world and visited by many pilgrims.
Built in the 13th century, this is actually a much simpler church. However, she keeps the remains of Santa’s clothes and also some curls of her hair. In addition, this church also keeps the Crucifix of San Damiano that spoke with Francis and that led him to convert.
After these visits, we head to Piazza del Comune, the main square in Assisi.
PIAZZA DEL COMUNE
Certainly, it is here in this square that the commercial and political heart of the city beats. Piazza del Comune is surrounded by buildings with strong medieval architectural features. As a result, among them are constructions such as the Temple of Minerva, the Torre del Popolo, as well as the Palazzo dei Priori, which enchant for their ancient beauty.
MINERVA TEMPLE
Due to its Roman columns, this is one of the buildings that most attracts attention in Piazza del Comune. The Temple of Minerva is an ancient temple erected here in the 1st century. I BC (about 40 BC). But that was later incorporated into the construction of the Church of Santa Maria on Minerva, a Catholic church with an all-blue interior.
MEDIEVAL SOURCES
Don’t miss the Medieval Fountains found throughout the city. According to historians, the city of Assisi is almost the same today as it was at the time when Saint Francis de Assis was there. So, strolling through its streets is like stepping back in time!
Next to the Fonte di Piazza del Comune there is an alley, Via dell Arco dei Priori. This alley leads to another Assisi attraction, the Chiesa Nuova, in Piazza Chiesa Nuova. In this square there is a statue erected in honor of the parents of Saint Francis and it was where he lived in his childhood.
CHIESA NUOVA
This church was built in the century. XIV in the place where the house of the parents of Saint Francis would have existed. Tells stories, that his parents were important merchants of the time. Francis would have lived there until he abandoned everything and converted at the age of 24.
On the side, it is still possible to see the corridor and the original entrance of the house, in addition to the storage room and the cellar, in the basement. It is also possible to see the cell where his father would have imprisoned him in an attempt to change his mind. Also, there is the cassock that belonged to Saint Francis, already well worn by time.
Return to Piazza del Comune to finally visit the great attraction of Assisi: the Basilica of Saint Francis. To get there, we take Via Portica to Via Arnaldo Fortini. Ahead, this street becomes Via Saint Francis, which leads to the basilica. The beautiful medieval streets of the city are a real labyrinth and the streets are very small. However, the buildings are very well preserved and the architecture is beautiful, making the tour very pleasant.
SAINT FRANCIS BASILICA
No attraction in the city of Assisi is as important and as visited as the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi! Undoubtedly, it attracts thousands of visitors and devotees every year. Everyone wants to visit this important Catholic basilica and pay homage to one of the most beloved saints in the Christian world: Saint Francis of Assisi.
Indeed, it was in Assisi that Francis of Assisi was born in 1182. Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals and was one of the most important figures of the Catholic Church in the 12th and 13th centuries. In short, Francis was the son of a rich merchant in the region, who abandoned the life of plenty and his possessions to live in complete poverty and dedicating himself to others. He was the founder of the Order of Franciscans, which still exists today. Indeed, this is the order to which the current Pope Francis belongs. Incidentally, his work as a preacher at the time was so important for the renewal of Catholicism and the Christian faith, that in less than two years after his death he was canonized.
As it should be, the main attraction of the city is this church: the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. So, it is a great reason for Catholic pilgrimage. After all, it is where the saint’s tomb is located, and it still has incredible frescoes by Giotto.
TIP:
You can choose to buy an exclusive 3-hour guided tour of the basilica or a 1-hour guided tour (English). 😉
Garden of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
UNMISSSIBLE TIP! Being the end of the day, and if you want to have an amazing view of the Basilica, we took the Vicolo Santa Margherita. It starts right in front of the left corner of the Basilica’s Upper Garden. This little street leads to the Church di Santa Margherita. From there, you will see the Basilica in a unique way and one of the most admirable sunsets in Italy!
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BOOKING – DAY TRIP TO ASSISI FROM ROME
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