Sacro Convento
Building Franciscan convent adjoining Assisi's Basilica of St. Francis
The Sacro Convento adjoins the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi; pilgrims and history-minded visitors come for the Franciscan convent, tombs, and medieval frescoes.
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The Sacro Convento is the Franciscan friary adjoining the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Umbria, forming part of the larger Franciscan complex established in the 13th century. Construction of the basilica and adjoining convent began soon after Saint Francis’s canonization in 1228.
The complex includes the Upper and Lower churches of the basilica, where the lower church contains the tomb of Saint Francis and the upper and lower churches are decorated with extensive medieval frescoes. The friary contains cloisters, refectories and living quarters used by the Franciscan order.
The convent was established in the 13th century to house the growing Franciscan community and has been maintained and expanded over subsequent centuries as a center for pilgrimage and monastic life. It remains an active religious site and a focal point for visitors to Assisi.
The Sacro Convento sits beside the Basilica of Saint Francis in the town of Assisi in central Umbria, within walking distance of the town center and hilltop streets that define the medieval town.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the Assisi Franciscan complex that is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural and religious significance.
- Visiting note: Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds in the basilica and to see frescoes with softer light; the convent itself remains an active friary so access to some areas can be restricted.
What to See #
- Sacro Convento friary: Forms the friary that adjoins the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and contains monastic living quarters, cloisters and a refectory dating to the medieval period.
- Basilica of Saint Francis (Lower and Upper churches): Comprises the Lower and Upper churches of the adjacent basilica, with the lower church containing the tomb of Saint Francis and extensive medieval fresco cycles begun in the 13th century.
- Cloisters and convent rooms: Includes historic cloisters, libraries and guest rooms used by the Franciscan order since the convent's founding in the 13th century.
How to Get to Sacro Convento #
Assisi is served by regional trains and buses from Perugia (Perugia-Assisi service) and by direct buses from Rome’s Tiburtina station. The Sacro Convento sits immediately adjacent to the Basilica of San Francesco at Piazza San Francesco; from the main bus drop-off in Assisi it’s a 5-10 minute uphill walk.
Tips for Visiting Sacro Convento #
- Buy a single ticket that includes both the Basilica of San Francesco and the Sacro Convento to see the frescoes and cloisters together.
- Visit early in the morning to avoid tour buses that arrive after 10:30am.
- Look for the worn grooves on the stone floor near the tombs - pilgrims' knees over centuries have polished them smooth.
Best Time to Visit Sacro Convento #
Late spring and early autumn balance good weather with manageable visitor numbers.
Weather & Climate near Sacro Convento #
Sacro Convento'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 30°C. Moderate rainfall (753 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (46 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 (55 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 (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 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 (60 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (73 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 (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 91 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 (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
