Official Information
Official basilica site: https://www.sanfrancescoassisi.org/
Group visit bookings and guided/audioguide tours: https://prenotazioni.sanfrancesco.org/
Entry: Free for individual visitors; charges apply for guided tours, audioguides, and group reservations.
Address: Piazza San Francesco 2, 06081 Assisi (PG), Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Open daily all year round. Separate opening times apply for the Upper Church, Lower Church, and crypt; schedules vary slightly by season, with early morning opening and evening closing. Up-to-date visiting and liturgical times are published on the official website.
The Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi is both a major pilgrimage centre and one of Italy’s most important medieval art ensembles. Built shortly after the saint’s death in the 13th century, it consists of two superimposed churches, the lower and the upper, tplus a crypt containing his tomb and the sprawling Sacro Convento complex. The Lower Church, with its dim light and low vaults, has a crypt-chapel atmosphere and is richly decorated with frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Lorenzetti and others, depicting scenes from the Passion, Franciscan legends, and allegorical figures. The crypt below houses the simple stone sarcophagus of Saint Francis himself, a focal point for pilgrims seeking prayer or reflection. The Upper Church is brighter and more spacious, adorned with tall Gothic windows and a famous fresco cycle often attributed to Giotto and his workshop. These frescoes narrate the life of Saint Francis in detailed, vivid episodes, this renunciation of worldly goods, preaching to the birds, receiving the stigmata, tand link his story into the broader Christian narrative. The basilica complex is expansive and can be crowded, particularly on weekends, feast days, and during pilgrimages. Modest dress and a quiet demeanor are expected; photography policies vary between spaces. To get the most from a visit, many opt for an audio guide or guided tour, both bookable online. Entry to the churches is free, but some services are paid. Always check the official website before visiting for current schedules, service times, special events, and possible section closures related to maintenance or security.