Inside the Assisi Basilica

It’s not allowed to take photos in the basilica, so these photos come from the Internet :)

Francis of Assisi was born here in 1182 and was born to a wealthy family. He wanted to be a knight and joined the army. He was taken prisoner, and when he returned he came back almost blind due to an injury and very confused. He went into an old church and tradition has it that Jesus spoke to him. He renounced his father’s inheritance, and took a vow of poverty and humility to become a Franciscan friar. He never became a priest because he wanted to remain humble. 

We learned the difference between friars and monks: Monks follow the rule of one and live alone and don’t come out of the church. Franciscan friars live among their brothers and preach to the towns. 

Saint Francis died at the age of 45 of malaria. His body was brought to a chapel in Assisi that became the eventual site of the basilica. The cost of the basilica was covered by donations made in his honor and from taxes. Construction was started in 1228 right after his death and declaration as a saint. 

Three churches make up the complex: they represent the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This is the same with the three knots on the Franciscan friars’ robe belts. 

We first saw his tomb in the crypt which is in the basement of the first church. It’s simple and made of stone, keeping with his simple life. 

We saw the most important relics associated with Saint Francis, including his robe and some of his personal letters.

Above the crypt is the second church, which is built right on top of the crypt and called the Lower Church. It’s built in the Roman style with low ceilings.

The walls are nearly all covered with frescoes (which means wet) telling various Bible stories and stories of Francis’ life. They are painted with a vibrant blue stone from the mountains of Afghanistan that was more expensive than gold.

An earthquake in 1997 destroyed a fresco depicting the crucifixion. It remains in its damaged state. It is not allowed to paint over it so it must remain as it is. They remain bright and colorful. 

We saw the cloister outside on the way up to the upper church. 

The upper church is more gothic in style, filled with stained glass and more frescoes telling the life of Francis. They show his life among the poor bringing the word of God to them and his love of animals, as he believed all creatures were the work of God. 

After our tour we had some more free time to enjoy the courtyard views, finish up shopping and grab a last snack before boarding the bus in the way to Rome. Even the slight drizzle didn’t stop our travelers!

The beautiful courtyard

Trying merengue


From the courtyard heading towards the streets of the town
























It’s farewell to Assisi and all roads now lead to Rome!