Assisi

Religious & Spiritual Activities

Explore the rich culture and history of Assisi, the birthplace of one of Italy's most famous patron saints, Saint Francis, on a guided walking tour. Along your way, marvel at long-standing Roman ruins and admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi up close. Walk through the town's oldest quarters, marveling at the ruins of the Roman amphitheater that still stand strong today. These ruins are perfectly integrated between the medieval houses that are still inhabited by locals today. Then, admire the city from a different vantage point from the medieval Rocca Maggiore. Afterwards, stroll through the town to visit the Cathedral of San Rufino. Here, learn about Saint Francis' baptismal in the cathedral and take your time walking under its impressive and historic arches. Next, see the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the Piazza del Comune, which is the main square of the city. Here you can admire the Temple of Minerva, one of the best preserved Roman temples in Italy, surrounded by some impressive medieval government buildings. Finally, walk through the splendid Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi with your guide. Perched atop a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape, the basilica's many archways, open squares, and stunning 13th and 14th-century frescoes will stay imprinted in your mind.

Explore Assisi on a 3-hour walking tour with a guide who will tell you about the history, art, and local traditions of one of the most famous hill towns of Italy. Meet your guide and head to the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, which was later put to use in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stone to build local houses. See how the amphitheater later was turned into a private neighborhood. From this vantage point, the view of the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Continuing along narrow alleys and through medieval squares you’ll reach the Cathedral of Saint Rufino Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Claire, and Piazza del Comune, the main city square. At the square you’ll see the Minerva temple, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy. It is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings. The tour then continues on to the Saint Francis Basilica, which is well known for its 13th and 14th-century frescoes created by Italian masters of the time, including Giotto.

You will start your visit from the lower floor by entering the tomb of Saint Francis and then you will keep exploring the church in the altar area where the frescoes about the life of Jesus are located. See the friary cloister. The upper church at the end will make you know the life of Saint Francis through the famous cycle of paintings decorating the church’s side walls. The Basilica of Saint Francis is a bilevel 13th century building which preserves the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in the world. This grandiose gorgeously embellished church also preserves frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and other well-known medieval painters of Italy. Indeed, it is one of the most focal points of both art and spirituality. This church is a powerful place for believers and art lovers alike.

Enjoy a day away from the bustle of Rome on a full-day tour of Umbria, one of the most picturesque regions of Italy. Rich in vineyards, olive groves and the hillside villages, the most famous site in the region is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Assisi. Upon arrival in this mystical place of St. Francis, walk inside the ancient walls. Built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio, the colorful houses of ink stone, narrow streets, flowered balconies and ornate palaces will offer great views. A highlight of your time in Assisi will be a visit to the Basilica of San Francesco to see the Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. After lunch, continue to Orvieto to admire the magnificence of the cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with glittering facade windows, mosaics and sculptures. Enjoy the charm of Orvieto, and admire the many churches scattered around its historic center. Return to Rome for a hotel back in the early evening.

Escape Italy's busy capital for one day on this trip to Assisi and the Umbrian hill town Orvieto. On this tour, you will unveil the religious architecture of Umbria (such as the famous Cathedral of Orvieto) and discover the wines and local products of Tuscany. Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and driving along the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto as your first stop, a small town of Etruscan origins where you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The tour continues through the green Tuscan Hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. This is the land of some of Italy’s best known D.O.C. (quality controlled) wines, which include Orvieto, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcin. You will then have a further stop, where you will taste some local wines and other typical Umbrian and Tuscan products. Afterwards, enjoy lunch, consisting of traditional local dishes. In the early afternoon you will continue your journey and drive along the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Finally, reach Assisi, which is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. Assisi is famous for being St. Francis' birthplace. You will see the Church of St. Claire*, St Francis’ birthplace and his childhood home, the Townhall Square. Around the Townhall Square, you will see the People’s Palace and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. One highlight of the tour will be the visit of St Francis’ Basilica, located close to the ancient city walls, with its magnificent frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries. Leaving Assisi, stop at the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where St. Francis died in 1226. You will reach Rome around 19:30/20:00, where you will be dropped-off in the vicinity of your hotel.

Enjoy a panoramic tour along the winding streets and colorful surroundings aboard an Ape Calessino tuk-tuk, following San Francesco and Santa Chiara’s footsteps. Discover the historical and artistic treasures of this medieval town, the birthplace of San Francesco, which stands on a top of a hill, overlooking a valley covered by vineyards, fields and olive oil trees. The tour departs from the historical town center or you can enjoy a free pick-up from your hotel aboard a vintage Ape Calessino. You will admire the St. Clare Basilica from the outside, the roman and medieval main square Piazza del Comune, the San Rufino cathedral, the medieval Rocca Maggiore with the superb view that overlooks the valley and the majestic Saint Francis Basilica. The tour will proceed to Santa Maria Degli Angeli, la Portiuncola, then to Rivotorto and St. Damien.

After meeting your guide at 10:30 AM, you will visit the Basilica of Saint Francis, which is world-famous for its 13th-14th century frescoes by the best painters of Italy at that time. Among those, the most famous is Giotto. From there, you will head to the main city square, Piazza del Comune. At the square, you will see one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy — Minerva's temple — which is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings.  You will then head down to the old Roman ruins of the local amphitheater, which was reused in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stones to build local houses. You will see how the amphitheater was turned into a private neighborhood. From there, the view toward the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Through narrow alleys and medieval squares you will reach Saint Rufino’s Cathedral and Saint Claire's Basilica.  After free time for lunch, in the afternoon you will explore Sanctuaries and Franciscan Sites outside Assisi by driver and guide.  Your tour will start with the visit of Eremo Delle Carceri. “Carceri” is a metaphoric name given to this place which is nowadays an impressive old Franciscan friary built in the 15th C. on the mountain slopes. It incorporates the grottoes that were used by Saint Francis as a retreat. From there, you will also enjoy one of the most stunning views over the Umbrian Valley below.  After the hermitage you will be taken to the sanctuary of Saint Damiano, which is the place of Saint Francis' vocation. It is here, that the vision of the crucifix advising Francis to fix his church is said to have taken place. It was the starting point of Francis' new experience as a friar in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.  The last part of your tour will take you to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, which protects the tiny Porziuncola under its gigantic dome. This is the very small chapel where Francis and his first companions founded the Franciscan community, and also the place where Saint Francis passed away. 

Escape the hustle and bustle of Rome for the day on a full-day tour of Umbria, one of the most picturesque regions of Italy. Rich in vineyards, olive trees, and hill-top villages, the most famous site in the region is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Assisi. Upon arrival at this mystical place, learn about Saint Francis as you wander within the ancient walls. Built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio, the colorful houses of ink stone. narrow streets, flower decked balconies, and noble palaces provide beautiful views. A highlight of your time in Assisi will be a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis to see Renaissance masterpieces by Giotto and Cimabue. After lunch, continue to Orvieto to admire the magnificence of its cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with a glistening façade of stained glass, mosaics, and sculptures. Soak up Orvieto’s charms, and marvel at the countless churches scattered around its historic center. Transfer back to Rome for a hotel drop off in the early evening.

Following pick-up from your hotel in Foligno, Perugia, Todi, Assisi, Spoleto or Gubbio (others cities on request), visit one or more cities in Umbria, depending on your point of departure. Go to the Basilica di Sant'ubaldo in Gubbio, where you will find a Roman Mausoleum and Roman Theater. The ancient city celebrates its patron on the 15th of May each year with the Corsa dei Ceri. Admire one of the most beautiful Etruscan towns in Umbria at Perugia. See the Porta Marzia, Pozzo Etrusco (also known as the "Etruscan Arch of Augustus"), and Fontana Maggiore. In the city of Todi you can discover medieval monuments, such as the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione and the Palazzo del Capitano. Admire the Palazzo del Priore, Palazzo del Popolo and Todi Cathedral. Visit the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi and learn more about Italy’s famous patron saint. See Roman ruins integrated into medieval homes that are still lived in by the locals. Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where St. Francis first renounced the world to live in poverty. Go to the Convent of San Damiano to learn about Saint Claire, founder of the Order of Poor Ladies. Visit the Eremo delle Carceri (Carceri Hermitage) in the forest gorge above Assisi, where St. Francis came to pray. Orvieto is located on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. Head to the Duomo to admire the black and white striped building in a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Go inside to see the bronze doors, rose window and frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Then walk around the historic center and visit the Piazza del Popolo, Saint Patrick's Well, Corso Cavour and a variety of churches. Don't miss the underground city of tunnels, galleries, wells, stairs, quarries, cellars, passageways, cisterns and rooms. Go to Spello on the slopes of Mount Subasio and enjoy commanding views of the Umbrian plains. Look out over olive groves and vineyards. There will be the chance to taste the wines and olive oils and see the thriving trade of these ancient products if it's a market day. Stop at the tiny hamlet of Collepino, perched in the forests between Assisi and Spello, and discover a former settlement of shepherds and woodcutters. Admire the 13th to 14th-century Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) in Montefalco. See the former church of San Filippo Neri, now a town theater. Other historic churches include Sant' Agostino and Santa Illuminata. See handsome 16th-century residences in Santa Maria di Piazza. Taste a selection of Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco wines. Marvel at churches of Romanesque, Renaissance and Gothic styles. Bevagna boasts ancient Roman monuments that date back to the 1st century BC. Just a few steps from the Forum, you will discover the remains of a temple. Head to the thermal baths, still decorated with frescoes. Explore the medieval heart of the city to see sights such as the 13th-century Palazzo dei Consoli. Go to the 19th-century theater to admire its decorations by Domenico Bruschi. Look at the ceiling of dancing muses by Mariano Piervittori.

As you cross the Tuscan countryside, the first town you meet will be Passignano sul Trasimeno, a small medieval hamlet with ancient city walls and a beautiful fortress. The town features a famous tourist resort at a magical location which provides a stunning view of the enchanting lake and surrounding islands. After this visit you proceed through the evocative landscape until you reach the hill from which the ancient city of Perugia rises. Evidence of its Etruscan origin is preserved in the travertine walls and the conveniently located in the village centre. Perugia is one of the most popular Italian cities of art, with a beautiful square from which you can admire architectural jewels such as the superb Palazzo dei Priori (1293-1443) and the splendid Cathedral (1345) placed beside the Loggia (1423). The elegant Fontana Maggiore (1275) is another breathtaking masterpiece. The excursion continues until you reach the quaint town where the patron saint of Italy, Saint Francis of Assisi (1181- 1226) lived, worked and died. The town of Assisi can be found at the foot of Mount Subasi. On your arrival you will first visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built as protection for the famous church of the "Porziuncola", where Saint Francis acknowledged his vocation and founded the Order of the Minor Friars. This is also the place where Santa Chiara began her monastic life. Here you can also see the "rosebush without thorns", which continues to grow only in this magical place, according to a legend the rose originated from the contact of the Saint with a thorny bush. After breaking for lunch you reach the center of Assisi where you will meet with an expert local Guide who will accompany you on an exciting visit to the civil and religious artistic heritage of the city. Admire the splendid Gothic Basilica dedicated to Saint Chiara (1257) featuring characteristic pink and white bands, the Renaissance Chiesa Nuova with an elegant Dome and the Roman temple of Minerva which still retains its first century AD façade. Discover the fourteenth century Monte Frumentario and finally visit the famous and beautiful St Francis’ Basilica, a UNESCO heritage monument, built with white-rosy stone originating from Mount Subasio. The wonderful frescoed cycles painted by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Lorenzetti are preserved inside the Basilica. Breathe in the special atmosphere of serenity and joy that this city emanates and you will understand why it has been chosen as symbol of Peace by the delegates of the main religions in the world.