Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
Historical Site Medieval town with Basilica of St Francis.
Medieval streets and frescoed churches make Assisi a pilgrimage and art‑history stop in Umbria. The Basilica of San Francesco displays major fresco cycles; visitors explore Franciscan sites, convents and hilltop views over the plain.
Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites is a group of medieval religious monuments in Assisi, Umbria, centred on the Basilica dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and associated Franciscan structures. The complex is a key reference for medieval art and Franciscan spirituality.
The basilica complex includes an Upper Church and a Lower Church decorated with major fresco cycles by leading artists of the late 13th and early 14th centuries, illustrating biblical scenes and lives of saints. The basilica houses the tomb of St Francis and has been a major pilgrimage destination since the 13th century.
The broader group includes other Franciscan sites in the town and surrounding hills - churches, hermitages and chapels associated with the life and cult of St Francis and his followers.
Construction of the basilica began shortly after St Francis’s death in 1226 and the complex was completed across the 13th century to serve as the order’s principal church and a focal point for Franciscan devotion. The fresco decoration was executed in the late 1200s and early 1300s and the site has remained central to Franciscan identity.
The monuments stand in the medieval hill town of Assisi in the Umbria region of central Italy, overlooking the Umbrian plain and linked by road to larger regional centres such as Perugia.
- Fresco cycles: The Upper and Lower Basilica contain extensive fresco cycles attributed to artists such as Giotto and Cimabue, painted in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
What to See #
- Basilica of San Francesco (Upper and Lower churches): The Basilica of San Francesco - comprising the Upper Church and the Lower Church, together containing extensive wall fresco cycles by major medieval and early Renaissance artists.
- Additional Franciscan buildings and related sites: Other Franciscan sites in and around Assisi including the basilica of Santa Chiara, the Rocca Maggiore fortress and several hermitages and chapels linked to St Francis's life.
How to Get to Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites #
Assisi is in Umbria, about 25 km north of Perugia. From Perugia Sant’Anna or Perugia railway station, take regional trains or buses toward Assisi (journey time ~20-30 minutes by train from Perugia railway connections via Foligno). By car, follow the E45 and SR318; parking is available outside the medieval walls with pedestrian access to the basilica.
Tips for Visiting Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites #
- Visit the Upper Basilica early to see the frescoes with fewer people; the lower basilica is dimmer but cooler and less crowded.
- Walk uphill from the Basilica to the Rocca Maggiore fortress for views and for the medieval layer of Assisi's story.
- Check monastic schedules: some chapels close to tourists during Mass times.
Best Time to Visit Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites #
Spring and autumn provide the best combination of weather and manageable crowds; significant feast days are busiest.
Weather & Climate near Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites #
Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (766 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 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 (64 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 (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (38 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 (53 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 (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (84 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 92 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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