Located in the mountainous region of central Italy, Assisi is a hilltop town best known as the birthplace of St. Francis. This Catholic saint is celebrated throughout the world for his love of all creatures.
Today, pilgrims from around the world visit Assisi because of St. Francis, but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy the culture and beauty found in this medieval town. Assisi is filled with stunning architecture and glorious works of art.
In this article, you will learn what is Assisi, Italy, known for, is Assisi worth visiting, where is Assisi and why it is important. You will also have a handy list of the top five things to do in this postcard-perfect town.
What is Assisi, Italy, Known For?
This charming town is primarily known as the birthplace of St. Francis, who was born in 1181 as Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone. As a sick, fevered child, Francis had visions of God. These visions led him to renounce his family’s wealth and take a vow of poverty.
Young Francesco soon began preaching and attracting followers. Now St. Francis is known as the patron saint of the environment and animals because he considered all of nature as the mirror of God.
The “Peace Prayer of St. Francis,” which begins, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” is recognized throughout the world. Although the poem is no longer believed to have been written by the saint, its message still appeals to individuals of diverse faiths.
Is Assisi Worth Visiting?
Whether you love art, culture or simply strolling through the cobbled streets of medieval Italian towns, Assisi is absolutely worth visiting.
The town was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 for its “outstanding examples of a type of architectural ensemble that has significantly influenced the development of art and architecture.”
Where is Assisi and Why Is It Important?
Is Assisi part of Tuscany? is often asked. Actually, Assisi is a town in the Umbria region in central Italy. It is about 100 miles north of Rome and 100 miles south of Florence. Umbria is known for its medieval hill towns and softly rolling hills filled with vineyards and fields.
Assisi is important because of its association with the birth and life of St. Francis. In addition, it is home to some of the most important art pieces in the world. Great artists of the 13th and 14th centuries, such as Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti all contributed to the magnificent artwork you will see in the Basilica of St. Francis.
Top 5 Things to do in Assisi
Visit the St. Francis Basilica –
Known in Italy as Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, millions of tourists each year visit this magnificent church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. The Basilica contains the mortal remains of St. Francis, who lived in Assisi from the time of his birth in 1181 until his death in 1226. Built 800 years ago, the Basilica is filled with 13th century frescoes by world-renowned artists portraying the life of St. Francis.
Make sure to visit the Museum of Treasures. Originally kept in a secret room at the base of the bell tower, the museum houses over 100 works including a “Chalice by Guccio of Mannaia,” a gift from the first Franciscan pope, and musical instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Mass is still celebrated in the Basilica and it is common to see Franciscan monks in their dark robes walking the courtyards. Audio tours and walking tours led by Franciscan friars are available.
Tour the Temple of Minerva
Known locally as the Tempio di Minerva, this pagan temple was built during the reign of Augustus in the first century BC. Abandoned when Rome converted to Christianity, the ancient temple now houses the Santa Maria sopra Minerva church. Renovated in the Baroque style in the 1600s, the German poet Goethe said it was the first ancient structure in good condition that he had ever seen.
The temple was named after Minerva because a statue of a female found in the church was thought to be modeled after the goddess of the arts, wisdom and war. The temple’s columned facade faces the Piazza del Commune, the town center.
Stroll through the Piazza del Commune
This is the center of Assisi and thought to be one of the best-preserved medieval squares in the entire country. You will find open-air restaurants, charming shops, wine bars and gelatarias to explore. It is a great spot for people watching while enjoying an icy gelato.
See the Basilica of Saint Chiara
Known in Italy as Basilica di Santa Chiara, this church honors Clare of Assisi, an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. Clare lived from 1194 to 1253 and is known for founding the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Like St. Francis, Clare had been born to a wealthy family, but she renounced her wealth after hearing Francis preach at an Assisi church.
Clare authored “Rule of Life,” the first set of monastic guidelines believed to have been written by a woman. Her mortal remains are housed at the Basilica of Saint Chiara, which also houses a wax figure of St. Claire of Assisi. On a weird note, St. Clare was designated the patron saint of television in 1958 because it was reported that when she was too ill to attend mass she could see and hear it on the wall of her room.
Drop by an Organic Winery
Assisi has a centuries-old tradition of making wine and oil. Tili Winery offers a variety of experiences for you to enjoy from being a winemaker for a day to indulging in a typical Umbrian lunch or delighting in an organic wine tasting with panoramic views of the Umbrian countryside.
Where to Stay
There are lots of options when it comes to staying in Assisi. Depending on your budget, you can choose anything from a boutique farm resort and spa (Tenuta San Masseo) to a luxury hotel suite or a B&B. We stayed at the Hotel Il Palazzo just 10 minutes from the St. Francis Basilica. It is in a 16th century building halfway between the St. Francis Basilica and the Piazza del Comune square. We found it to be clean with good Wifi, a friendly staff and a range of vegan options.
How to Get to Assisi
The best way to get to Assisi is by train. For us, it was a two-and-a-half hour train trip from Florence. It is about two hours if you are traveling by train from Rome.
From the Santa Maria degli Angeli train station, you will need to take a taxi or bus to get to the center of historic Assisi, about three miles away. It is a steep climb. Should you arrive by car, you will need to park in one of the car parks outside the town and take local transportation in. The town is small and you can easily walk from one end to another so you don’t miss a bit of the charm of this outstanding example of an Umbrian hill town.
You may also like …
How to travel to Europe on a budget and 6 powerful steps to manifesting your travel dreams.
Let’s Stay in Touch!
Slow Stroll Travel is a better way to see the world. We show you how to travel more and spend less. Like our Facebook page to stay inspired!
Leave a Reply