Assisi on Foot: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis
Assisi is enveloped in a profound aura of sacredness: the marks left by great historical figures are visible and tangible. This guided tour takes you through the buildings, squares, and monuments that witnessed the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare.
Our expert guides will accompany you on this walking tour of Assisi, exploring monuments from different eras that blend harmoniously together—like the façade of Santa Maria sopra Minerva—and offering characteristic panoramic views over the Umbrian valleys. This shared tour, lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes, will immerse you in the history of Assisi, following the footsteps of the figures who made it world-renowned.
San Rufino
Located in the oldest part of the city, the Church of San Rufino holds the surprising title of Assisi’s cathedral. Rufinus was the first to bring Christianity to the city, and following in his footsteps, Saint Francis preached several times in the square in front of the church. With its splendid façade, San Rufino is one of the finest examples of Romanesque churches in Umbria.
Basilica o Santa Chiara
This Gothic-style building is one of the city’s symbols and owes its construction to the citizens of Assisi, who decided to dedicate a church to Saint Clare, the celebrated saint whose conversion took place at San Rufino. The white and pink stones from Mount Subasio give the beautiful façade its characteristic look, especially enchanting at sunset when the light creates magical effects of shadow and color—an awe-inspiring sight that brings peace and serenity.
Piazza del Comune
The medieval alleys and streets of Assisi all lead to the multifaceted Piazza del Comune, once the hub of the city’s social and cultural life, built atop the ancient Roman forum. Here you’ll find the Temple of Minerva—a successful union of the city’s most important Roman temple and the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva—and key civic buildings such as the Palazzo dei Priori and the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo.
Lower Square of Saint Francis
From this lower square, you can admire the full majesty of the Basilica of Saint Francis from the outside. The arcades, dating back to the late 15th century, once welcomed pilgrims and hosted small merchants’ shops. Today, just like in the past, these spaces offer shelter and refreshment to visitors and frame the square beautifully.
Basilica of Saint Francis
On select dates, guided tours of approximately 1 hour are available, entirely dedicated to the Basilica. These can be booked independently or in combination with the historic center tour of Assisi.
These tours of the Basilica of Saint Francis allow you to experience and understand how Francis’ life left a lasting mark on history, influencing faith, art, literature, economics, and ecology. No one better than the “Poor Man of Assisi” understood the deep connection between humanity and creation.
Check dates and availability.
