Church of St. Francis

To the northwest of the cathedral there is a basilica built in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who was born in these parts. This ancient temple is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the main monuments of Assisi.

Saint Francis was born in Assisi around 1181. His actions marked a turning point in the history of the ideals of asceticism. It became a symbol of a new era in the history of Western monasticism. Two years after his death on 16 July 1228, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX. The day after the canonization, Pope and brother Elijah, one of the followers of St. Francis, laid the first stone of the future basilica on the mountain, once nicknamed Hell Hill. Legend has it that Francis himself bequeathed to be buried on this hill, so named because of public punishments and executions of criminals. But gradually a new name was fixed behind the hill - Paradise - since the relics of the saint are stored here. Basilica in honor of St. Francis became a kind of monument, marking the place of burial of the saint. It was also the first temple of the Franciscan Order. Over time, a whole monastery complex grew around the basilica.