Assisi: Walking in the Footsteps of St. Francis — A Pilgrimage Guide

Assisi is a medieval hill town in the Umbria region of Italy, perched on the slopes of Mount Subasio. It is the birthplace of St. Francis (1181–1226) — the monk who embraced radical poverty, preached to birds, rebuilt a ruined church, and became one of the most beloved figures in Christian history. For pilgrims, Assisi offers something Rome cannot: a quiet, intimate encounter with the simplicity and joy that defined Francis's faith.

Key points:

• Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis (1181–1226) and St. Clare (1194–1253), founders of the Franciscan and Poor Clares orders.
• The Basilica of St. Francis, built in 1228, houses his tomb and features frescoes by Giotto that are considered the beginning of Western art.
• Assisi is a 2-hour drive from Rome or a 2-hour train ride from Florence, making it an ideal day trip or overnight stop.
• The town is small enough to walk end-to-end in 30 minutes, but rich enough to fill a full day of pilgrimage.

Who was St. Francis and why does he matter?

Francis Bernardone was born in Assisi in 1181 to a wealthy cloth merchant. As a young man he was a soldier, a prisoner of war, and a playboy. In his early twenties he had a series of encounters with God — including a vision of Christ in the ruined chapel of San Damiano, where he heard the words "Repair my church." He renounced his inheritance, embraced a life of radical poverty, and began preaching in the streets.

Francis attracted followers (the Friars Minor), wrote the first poetry in the Italian vernacular, created the first living Nativity scene, and is credited with the Canticle of the Sun — a hymn praising God through Brother Sun, Sister Moon, and Brother Fire. He was the first person to receive the stigmata (the wounds of Christ) in 1224. He died in 1226 and was canonized two years later.

For Protestants and Catholics alike, Francis represents a return to the simplicity of the gospel — a life of voluntary poverty, joyful service, and love for all creation. His prayer — "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace" — is one of the most widely known Christian prayers in the world.

What should you see in Assisi?

The Basilica of St. Francis (Basilica di San Francesco)

Begun in 1228, the year Francis was canonized, the basilica is actually two churches stacked on each other. The lower church is dark, intimate, and Romanesque; the upper church is bright, spacious, and Gothic. Francis's tomb is in the crypt beneath the lower church — a simple stone sarcophagus in a bare room. Allow 60–90 minutes.

The upper church contains the famous 28-fresco cycle by Giotto (c. 1295–1300) depicting the life of Francis. These frescoes — including Francis preaching to the birds, Francis renouncing his worldly goods, and Francis receiving the stigmata — are considered the beginning of Western art history, the moment painting moved from Byzantine iconography to naturalistic storytelling.

The Basilica of St. Clare (Basilica di Santa Chiara)

Built in the 13th century over the church where Clare was buried, this basilica houses the tomb of St. Clare, Francis's spiritual daughter and founder of the Poor Clares. The church also contains the original San Damiano cross — the crucifix that spoke to Francis, telling him to "repair my church." Allow 45 minutes.

San Damiano

A small, restored church about 1 km below the town walls, this is the actual chapel where Francis heard the voice of Christ from the crucifix. It later became the home of St. Clare and her sisters. The setting is quiet and beautiful, with a small garden and a sense of peace that many pilgrims describe as the most spiritual stop in Assisi. Allow 30–45 minutes.

The Hermitage of the Carceri (Eremo delle Carceri)

About 4 km above Assisi on Mount Subasio, this is the forest hermitage where Francis and his brothers retreated for prayer. You can see the cave where Francis slept and the spot where he preached to the birds. The walk up through the forest is beautiful, and the site is profoundly quiet. Allow 60–90 minutes including the walk.

The town of Assisi itself

Assisi's medieval streets are a pilgrimage in themselves. Walk the Via San Francesco from the basilica to the main piazza (Piazza del Comune), see the Temple of Minerva (a Roman temple converted to a church), and visit the Chiesa Nuova — built on the site of Francis's family home. Allow 1–2 hours for wandering.

How do you get to Assisi?

Assisi is about 170 km north of Rome and 170 km southeast of Florence. By car, it's a 2-hour drive from Rome on the A1 highway. By train, the Assisi station (Santa Maria degli Angeli) is about 2 hours from Rome and 2 hours from Florence, with a 15-minute bus or taxi ride up to the old town. Most tour groups include Assisi as a day stop between Rome and Florence, or as an overnight in the Umbrian countryside.

How much time should you spend in Assisi?

A day trip gives you enough time for the basilica, St. Clare's, and a walk through the town. But an overnight lets you experience Assisi at dawn and dusk, when the crowds are gone and the town is at its most beautiful. If your group has the time, we recommend one night — it's one of the most peaceful places in Italy, and the contrast with the intensity of Rome is part of the pilgrimage experience.

What makes Assisi different from Rome?

Rome is about power, history, and the institutional church. Assisi is about simplicity, joy, and the personal gospel. Francis didn't build a basilica or command an army — he walked barefoot, talked to birds, and loved lepers. For groups who have spent days in the overwhelming grandeur of Rome, Assisi is a place to breathe, to slow down, and to remember that the gospel is fundamentally about love, not architecture.

Assisi is the quiet heart of an Italy pilgrimage. Don't rush it.