Assisi as a pilgrimage destination: places and travel planning

Assisi is a pilgrimage destination closely linked to the life of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. The city connects important churches, paths through the medieval old town and destinations outside the city. Centre. Anyone planning a trip should therefore include Santa Chiara, San Rufino, Porziuncola and Santa Maria degli Angeli in addition to the Basilica di San Francesco.

Brief facts on the subject

• The Basilica di San Francesco is located at Piazza San Francesco 2, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy.
• The Basilica di Santa Chiara is located in Piazza Santa Chiara, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy.
• San Rufino Cathedral is located at Piazza San Rufino 3, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy.
• The Porziuncola belongs to the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Piazza Porziuncola 1, 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli PG, Italy.
• Assisi Train Station is located in Santa Maria degli Angeli at Piazza Dante Alighieri, 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli PG.
• The upper and lower churches of San Francesco, religious services and groups have different visitation and access rules.
• For the main destinations, at least two overnight stays are useful; for Porziuncola and Eremo delle Carceri additional travel time should be planned.

Basilica di San Francesco: the main starting point

The Basilica di San Francesco in Piazza San Francesco 2 is the central place of stay for many pilgrims. The complex consists of lower church and upper church; Under the lower church lies the tomb of the Saint Francis. The two churches differ in architecture, spatial effect and equipment. Therefore, it is worthwhile to have your own tour instead of only planning the visit as a short photo stop.

Piazza Inferiore offers access to the information office of the Sacro Convento. Individual visitors can visit the basilica according to the information of the Custodia in principle without an entrance ticket; for groups, guided tours and special offers apply different rules. Opening hours, religious services, possible closures and instructions for the individual visit should be shortly before the trip on the Official visit and date page of the Basilica di San Francesco are tested. In religious celebrations, access can change in the short term.

Santa Chiara and San Rufino in the Old Town

The Basilica di Santa Chiara in Piazza Santa Chiara is the second major Franciscan destination in Assisi. The church is dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi and is located south of the historic center. From San From Francesco the path leads through the old town uphill or downhill. For older travellers and persons with reduced walking ability, inclines, cobblestones and breaks shall be considered.

The Cathedral of San Rufino in Piazza San Rufino 3 is the Cathedral of Assisi. Facade, interior and crypt form its own sightseeing destination. The cathedral can be easily combined with a tour of the old town. services take precedence over tourist visits; Appropriate dress and consideration for praying people are part of all churches.

Porziuncola and Santa Maria degli Angeli

The Porziuncola is not located in the elevated old town, but in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Piazza Porziuncola 1 in 06081 Santa Maria degli Angeli. This place is with the early years of Franciscan movement is connected and distinctly different from the basilica on the hill. Both areas should be treated as separate objectives.

The Assisi train station at Piazza Dante Alighieri in Santa Maria degli Angeli is important for getting there. From there, the lower town is accessible by bus, taxi or car; Connection and travel times should be on the travel day are tested. Accommodation in Santa Maria degli Angeli can be convenient for rail travelers and for visiting the Porziuncola. Those who want to attend morning or evening services should actually Planning for walking or driving time.

Eremo delle Carceri and trails at Monte Subasio

The Eremo delle Carceri is located outside the old town on Monte Subasio, in the Località Eremo delle Carceri, 06081 Assisi PG. The retreat is connected to St. Francis and is suitable for travelers who In addition to the churches also want to experience landscape and silence. The journey is not a short tour of the old town. Depending on the means of transport and weather, additional time, solid footwear and water make sense.

For a well-distributed trip, the first day is San Francesco, Santa Chiara and San Rufino. On the second day Porziuncola and Santa Maria degli Angeli with the Eremo delle Carceri or a quiet Connect tour of Assisi. Opening hours, religious services and access restrictions remain to be checked.

Choose travel and accommodation in Assisi

For the accommodation, the location is more crucial than a general designation such as “central”. The old town is convenient for San Francesco, Santa Chiara and San Rufino, but requires paths with slopes and a Careful travel planning. Santa Maria degli Angeli is closer to the train station and Porziuncola. Who travels by car, should observe access restrictions and parking possibilities and the accommodation in advance after a Ask about reachable access.

For the concrete search Holiday accommodation in Assisi, Accommodation in the Perugia area and Apartments in Umbria available. Check with each accommodation the distance to the desired church, the connection to the train station, the possibility of a later arrival and the accessibility with luggage. For a fixed stay, Accommodation in Assisi would be more useful than a quarter far outside.

Connecting Assisi with other pilgrimage destinations

Assisi can be planned as an independent journey or as part of a larger pilgrimage. The Via Francigena to Rome offers a reference to another Italian pilgrimage destination, even if Assisi is not on the same route. Those who want to compare paths and requirements will find on the To the pilgrimage The most important entry points.

For the comparison of European pilgrimage sites, the pages help to Rome and Vatican, Lourdes and Fátima. Assisi is especially suitable for travelers who want to combine Franciscan history, church visits and a manageable stay. Those who want to stay in Germany first can Pilgrim Cities in Germany or the Pilgrimage Routes in Germany Compare. Also included Mariazell as a pilgrimage destination connects a fixed pilgrimage site with several paths and seasonal travel planning.

For comparison with an interfaith destination outside Europe leads Jerusalem as a pilgrimage destination the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Haram al-Sharif and specific accommodation instructions.

Frequent Questions about Assisi

How many days do I need for Assisi?

For San Francesco, Santa Chiara and San Rufino a well-planned day is enough, if paths and visiting times go together. Two nights offer more peace and allow Porziuncola or Eremo delle Carceri.

Where is the Basilica of San Francesco?

The Basilica is located in Piazza San Francesco 2, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy, on the western edge of the historic old town.

Can I visit Porziuncola from Assisi?

Yes. The Porziuncola is located in the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Piazza Porziuncola 1 in Santa Maria degli Angeli, below the old town. A separate time window should be planned for the path.

Is Assisi suitable for people with reduced mobility?

Individual areas are accessible, but the old town has slopes, stairs and uneven pavements. The concrete accessibility of the desired church and accommodation should be checked before the trip.

Which accommodation makes sense for a pilgrimage to Assisi?

For churches in the old town, accommodation with short distances is helpful. For train travelers and visiting the Porziuncola, Santa Maria degli Angeli can be more practical. What matters is location, access and Connection to the planned objectives.