Top sights in Assisi
This is the main square of Assisi. You are surrounded by magnificent palazzos which are now the Town Hall buildings.
The iconic 3 lions fountain is the meeting point for many.
Sit at the iconic Bar Trovellesi and people watch. Note that the service isn't great here. So another bar is Caffe Centrale right opposite the fountain.
In the square is the Temple of Minerva, a Roman temple fully intact! Now, it is a church.
The tourist information office is in the opposite corner of the square from the fountain, a little hidden but you will find it.
Piazza del Comune
This is the main square of Assisi. You are surrounded by magnificent palazzos which are now the Town Hall buildings.
The iconic 3 lions fountain is the meeting point for many.
Sit at the iconic Bar Trovellesi and people watch. Note that the service isn't great here. So another bar is Caffe Centrale right opposite the fountain.
In the square is the Temple of Minerva, a Roman temple fully intact! Now, it is a church.
The tourist information office is in the opposite corner of the square from the fountain, a little hidden but you will find it.
This beautiful Basilica was built in only 2 years after Francis died. This is the place of his Tomb and is considered one of the most adorned churches in Western Christendom for art. Almost every wall is covered in frescos attribute to Giotto or Cimbue. You have to experience the beauty.
For English speaking travellers, there is a Mass in English at 10am every Sunday. I can help arrange a guided tour with a friar. I can also arrange a private group mass during the week for you.
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Basilica superiore di San Francesco
1 Porta S. FrancescoThis beautiful Basilica was built in only 2 years after Francis died. This is the place of his Tomb and is considered one of the most adorned churches in Western Christendom for art. Almost every wall is covered in frescos attribute to Giotto or Cimbue. You have to experience the beauty.
For English speaking travellers, there is a Mass in English at 10am every Sunday. I can help arrange a guided tour with a friar. I can also arrange a private group mass during the week for you.
Visit and pray at the Tomb of Saint Clare. Learn about her life and her sister Saint Agnes and her mother Blessed Ortolana. Here you can also pray in front of the famous San Damiano crucifix, the actual one from over 800 years ago when the cross "spoke" to Saint Francis and told him to "Go and rebuild my church".
Outside the Basilica is a wide piazza and a magnificent view of the Umbrian valley.
Lots of little cafes here too for a cafe, pizza or gelato stop.
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Basilica di Santa Chiara
1 Piazza Santa ChiaraVisit and pray at the Tomb of Saint Clare. Learn about her life and her sister Saint Agnes and her mother Blessed Ortolana. Here you can also pray in front of the famous San Damiano crucifix, the actual one from over 800 years ago when the cross "spoke" to Saint Francis and told him to "Go and rebuild my church".
Outside the Basilica is a wide piazza and a magnificent view of the Umbrian valley.
Lots of little cafes here too for a cafe, pizza or gelato stop.
This church used to be the original Cathedral of Assisi, until the newer Cathedral of San Rufino was built at the top of the hill.
Now, this church is known as the Sanctuary of the Stripping because this is the place where Francis literally stripped himself bare naked in front of the Assisiani people and his family and renounced his earthly father. Instead he said "I only have one Father who is in Heaven". While San Damiano is known to be the place of his conversion, this church is recognised as the place where he made a firm decision to confirm his conversion and demonstrate his faith to the people.
Now, this church is ever more popular with visitors because here lies the Tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the teenage Saint in the making, who loved Assisi.
Parish of Santa Maria Maggiore
2A Piazza del VescovadoThis church used to be the original Cathedral of Assisi, until the newer Cathedral of San Rufino was built at the top of the hill.
Now, this church is known as the Sanctuary of the Stripping because this is the place where Francis literally stripped himself bare naked in front of the Assisiani people and his family and renounced his earthly father. Instead he said "I only have one Father who is in Heaven". While San Damiano is known to be the place of his conversion, this church is recognised as the place where he made a firm decision to confirm his conversion and demonstrate his faith to the people.
Now, this church is ever more popular with visitors because here lies the Tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the teenage Saint in the making, who loved Assisi.
This is the place that Saint Francis loved the most. He restored the Porziuncola chapel "little portion" and this is where is lived with his brothers. It is also the place where Francis died. So, before you go to Assisi to the Basilica of Saint Francis, come here first and learn about his life.
I can help you arrange a guided tour by a friar.
Don't miss the Statue of Saint Francis where the doves nest in his hands and the Rose Garden.
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Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli - Porziuncola
1 Piazza PorziuncolaThis is the place that Saint Francis loved the most. He restored the Porziuncola chapel "little portion" and this is where is lived with his brothers. It is also the place where Francis died. So, before you go to Assisi to the Basilica of Saint Francis, come here first and learn about his life.
I can help you arrange a guided tour by a friar.
Don't miss the Statue of Saint Francis where the doves nest in his hands and the Rose Garden.
This is the Cathedral church of Assisi, the main church of the Bishop of Assisi. The church is named after San Rufino, the patron saint of Assisi who was the first Bishop of Assisi around 300 AD. He was martyred and his remains are here. Another important site here is the actual Baptism font of Saint Francis and Clare which is towards the back on the far right. There is also a wonderful exhibit of paintings of Saint John Paul II.
Outside the Cathedral, in the Piazza of San Rufino are two "don't miss" eateries. Andreas Pizza does the BEST slices of Pizza in town. And Cafe Duomo for a coffee or a spritz. In the morning, the blueberry muffins are divine!
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IKathidrali yaseSan Rufino
3 Piazza San RufinoThis is the Cathedral church of Assisi, the main church of the Bishop of Assisi. The church is named after San Rufino, the patron saint of Assisi who was the first Bishop of Assisi around 300 AD. He was martyred and his remains are here. Another important site here is the actual Baptism font of Saint Francis and Clare which is towards the back on the far right. There is also a wonderful exhibit of paintings of Saint John Paul II.
Outside the Cathedral, in the Piazza of San Rufino are two "don't miss" eateries. Andreas Pizza does the BEST slices of Pizza in town. And Cafe Duomo for a coffee or a spritz. In the morning, the blueberry muffins are divine!
If you have a car, this is a place where you will need to drive to. If you don't have a car, then either find someone to take you, or it will be a good long hike up hill!
Nestled above Assisi in Mount Subasio, this represents the caves where Francis and his early followers would retreat to for times of prayer and silence.
The grotto of Saint Francis is protected inside the monastery which was built around it. It is basically a slab of stone where Francis slept,untouched for over 800 years. Incredible.
Once you walk through the monastery, follow a series of walking paths into the depths of Mount Subasio to see the caves of the other followers. A truly quiet and spiritual place.
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Eremo delle Carceri
38 Via Eremo delle CarceriIf you have a car, this is a place where you will need to drive to. If you don't have a car, then either find someone to take you, or it will be a good long hike up hill!
Nestled above Assisi in Mount Subasio, this represents the caves where Francis and his early followers would retreat to for times of prayer and silence.
The grotto of Saint Francis is protected inside the monastery which was built around it. It is basically a slab of stone where Francis slept,untouched for over 800 years. Incredible.
Once you walk through the monastery, follow a series of walking paths into the depths of Mount Subasio to see the caves of the other followers. A truly quiet and spiritual place.
My pick of the restaurants
Caffè Duomo ASSISI
The best muffins in town!
Tucked away from the crowds, very close to Santa Chiara, is this gem of a restaurant. Specialises in cucina tipica. Great service.
Ristorante degli Orti
8 Salita degli OrtiTucked away from the crowds, very close to Santa Chiara, is this gem of a restaurant. Specialises in cucina tipica. Great service.
A favourite of the locals all year round. Famous for its grill. The meat is freshly cooked right in front of you. And the potatoes are cooked in the ashes of the grill. Divine! You will need a car to get to this place which is on the way to the Eremo.
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Ristorante La Stalla
24 Via Eremo delle CarceriA favourite of the locals all year round. Famous for its grill. The meat is freshly cooked right in front of you. And the potatoes are cooked in the ashes of the grill. Divine! You will need a car to get to this place which is on the way to the Eremo.
My favourite restaurant in Assisi. A little pricey but the food is amazing. All cucina tipica specialising in Umbrian dishes with truffle and sausage from Norcia. On the walls, are a fine collection of Norberto paintings, famous for his depiction of little friars around Assisi. Norberto was from Spello, but he is famous for this art of Assisi
Taverna dei Consoli
1 Vicolo della FortezzaMy favourite restaurant in Assisi. A little pricey but the food is amazing. All cucina tipica specialising in Umbrian dishes with truffle and sausage from Norcia. On the walls, are a fine collection of Norberto paintings, famous for his depiction of little friars around Assisi. Norberto was from Spello, but he is famous for this art of Assisi
Fabulous local cucina tipica specialising in prosciutto and salami and sausage from Norcia.
Try the lentil soup. The lentils are from the area of Castelluccio in the area of Norcia. Buona!
La Pregiutteria Casa Norcia
1 Via Alcide De GasperiFabulous local cucina tipica specialising in prosciutto and salami and sausage from Norcia.
Try the lentil soup. The lentils are from the area of Castelluccio in the area of Norcia. Buona!
This is a wonderful restaurant which sits above Assisi train station. They do fabulous giant pizza and also specialise in cucina tipica.
A wonderful surprise awaits you when you see the views from the station. Sit on the terrace in the summer it's fabulous but you need to book!
Also, the family also own a ceramics business so when you go in, there are wonderful local ceramics from Deruta aswell.
La Bella Stazione
5 P.za Dante AlighieriThis is a wonderful restaurant which sits above Assisi train station. They do fabulous giant pizza and also specialise in cucina tipica.
A wonderful surprise awaits you when you see the views from the station. Sit on the terrace in the summer it's fabulous but you need to book!
Also, the family also own a ceramics business so when you go in, there are wonderful local ceramics from Deruta aswell.