Assisi Cathedral
Church Medieval hilltop cathedral containing St. Francis frescoes
On Assisi’s main square, the Cathedral of San Rufino offers Romanesque architecture and frescoes linked to Saint Francis; visitors come for medieval art and the town’s pilgrimage sites.
Assisi Cathedral, the Cathedral of San Rufino, is the principal Romanesque church of Assisi in Umbria and serves as the city’s cathedral. Its façade and architectural character date principally to the medieval Romanesque period.
The exterior presents a carved stone façade with a noted rose window and sculpted portal details. Inside, visitors encounter the nave and chapels typical of a medieval cathedral, along with a baptistry historically associated with local saints.
The cathedral was built on the site of earlier Christian churches and took its present Romanesque form during the medieval period, with later interior modifications and restorations over the centuries. It has been the central church of Assisi throughout its history and maintained as the seat of the local bishop.
The cathedral stands on the Piazza del Comune in Assisi, close to the Basilica of San Francesco and within the town’s historic center in Umbria, Italy.
- Facade date and features: The cathedral's Romanesque facade dates largely to the 12th century and includes a carved portal and a prominent rose window.
- Baptismal site: Traditionally identified as the baptistry where Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare were baptized, a point of interest for many visitors.
How to Get to Assisi Cathedral #
Assisi is reached by regional train or bus from Perugia; the cathedral is a short uphill walk from the town’s main bus drop-off points and Piazza del Comune in the historic centre.
Tips for Visiting Assisi Cathedral #
- Arrive outside mass times to admire the cathedral architecture and the baptismal font where St. Francis is said to have been baptized.
- Walk the surrounding medieval streets to understand Assisi's layered religious and civic history - the cathedral sits within a neighbourhood of artisans and small shops.
Best Time to Visit Assisi Cathedral #
Assisi is busiest in summer and on Catholic feast days; visit in shoulder seasons for a quieter experience and comfortable walking temperatures.
Weather & Climate near Assisi Cathedral #
Assisi Cathedral's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (785 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 94 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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