The religious buildings present in Italy undoubtedly worth a visit, places rich in history, art, culture, spirituality, fascinating places where the visitor can only be amazed. Some of these religious buildings are even incorporated into the UNESCO World Heritage Siteas the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi. How organize a trip in this place of rare beauty? Let’s go and discover all the useful information.
What are the characteristics of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi
You can choose this basilica as destination for a short trip out of townor insert your visit into a wider one holiday to discover Umbriaa region rich in historic villages and cities of art (Perugia in the first place of course), but also of green areas where to experience direct contact with nature. What matters is to arrive prepared. So let’s try to delve into the description of the Basilica of San Francesco of Assisi with this brief and exhaustive guide, to fully grasp all its features.
What is the difference between the basilica of San Francesco superior and the inferior one in Assisi? Not everyone knows, but the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi has a very particular structure, two churches in fact superimposedbuilt in two different construction phases of the basilica, different from each other also from an artistic and architectural point of view. There lower church of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi it’s in style Umbrian Romanesquewhile the Upper Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi it’s in style French Gothic. In upper church of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi however, there are also some typical elements of the Italian styleespecially in the choice of colors and decorations that enrich the interiors.
There are those who choose to observe the basilica from the outsidebut we advise you to enrich yours weekend in Umbria crossing the threshold of this church. L’interior of the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi it is indeed full of charm, a suggestive place enriched by high quality stained glass windows and frescoes made by some of the most important artists of the time. Yes, the frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi they were in fact made by none other than by Giotto, Cimabue, Lorenzetti, Martini, Sermei. They are well preserved frescoes, which are really worth discovering, works of art full of charm. The basilica is today a UNESCO site and it is not only chosen as a destination for a trip out of town, but also as a destination pilgrimage destination. In fact, there are thousands pilgrims who come to this church every year to pay homage to St. Francispilgrims coming from every corner of the world.
The tomb of San Francesco and the Museum of the Treasury
Important to remember that under the main altar of the lower church there is the tomb of San Francescowhich can be accessed via a stairway. There is also a elevator. Those who need it can request to use it directly to the staff of the Basilica. The tomb is a simple stone sarcophagus in front of which we find a votive oil lamp. A little curiosity, every year a different Italian region offers as a gift the oil to power the lamp.
Impossible not to mention the Treasure Museumone of the museums of the city of Assisi more interesting, where it is possible to observe a hundreds of works by some of the great masters of the timeincluding the Guccio di Mannaia glassthe Illuminated missal of St. Louis IXa Flemish tapestry representing the Franciscan tree, works of Pietro Lorenzettifrom Lorenzo Monaco he was born in Sassetta and countless musical instruments dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum is open every day except Mondays, from 10.00 to 17.00.
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Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, timetables and prices
You are at Assisia small town dotted with many other churches of rare beauty and museums. It is a small town with narrow streets, white stone buildings which make it look almost like a real nativity scene, artisan shops and obviously many restaurants and taverns where it is nice to treat yourself to a relaxing break and taste some of the typical dishes of Umbria. But at what time of day to insert one visit to the basilica?
The opening hours of this basilica today a UNESCO World Heritage Site I am:
- Lower Church. Every day from 06.00 to 20.00, except Wednesday when it closes at 18.45. However, from 19.00 to 20.00 it is not possible to access the lower church to visit it, but only for prayer.
- Upper Church. Every day from 08.30 to 18.45.
- Tomb of San Francesco. On weekdays from 06.00 to 18.30. On holidays from 06.00 to 19.00. On Friday and Saturday it is possible to access the tomb from 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm, but only for personal prayer.
The times instead of masses at the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi I am:
- Lower church. On weekdays at 07.15, 10.00, 11.00 and 18.00. On holidays at 07.30, 09.00, 17.00, 18.30.
- Upper church. On holidays at 10.30 and 12.00. There will also be a mass in English at 09.00.
How much do you pay to visit the Basilica of San Francesco? It is a place of worship, where visitors can free access during opening hours. In case you want book the visitan ideal choice especially for groups, there is a cost of 2 euros. It is also possible rent the radio for the guided tour at the price of 2.50 euros. The basilica is one very large structure. We advise you to set aside at least an hour of time to be able to observe it in every smallest detail and for savor the unique atmospheres that here it is possible to live.
Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, UNESCO World Heritage Site