The Papal Basilica of San Francisco, honors St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, Friars Minor, and co-founder of the Order of St. Clare, the Poor Sisters. St. Francis was born in Assisi in the early 1180s and died in nearby Portiuncula on October 3, 1226. Soon after, in 1228, construction of the basilica was begun. It consists of an Upper Basilica and a Lower Basilica. In the upper church there are large, medieval frescoes on the walls; in the lower church there are similar works as well as the crypt holding the remains of St. Francis. A friary, the Convent of St. Francis, adjoins the basilica.
Approach to the Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Papal Basilica of San Francisco, Convent of St. Francis; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Main tower; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Facade; Upper Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Columns, arches; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Tile roof, approach; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Commemorative sculpture; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Hand in hand; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Three dimensional; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
In detail; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Door detail; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Detail, window over entrance to the Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Window over entrance to Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
St. Francis; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
St. Francis two; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Main entrance to the Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Detail; main entrance, Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Architectural detail; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Door detail; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Door panel; main entrance, Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Entrance detail; Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Detail; main entry; Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Carved wood panel; main entry; Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Signs of wear; main entry; Lower Basilica; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Ancient wood panel; Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Umbria, Italy. November 2009.
Papal Basilica of San Francisco; Assisi, Italy
The Papal Basilica of San Francisco, honors St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, Friars Minor, and co-founder of the Order of St. Clare, the Poor Sisters. St. Francis was born in Assisi in the early 1180s and died in nearby Portiuncula on October 3, 1226. Soon after, in 1228, construction of the basilica was begun. It consists of an Upper Basilica and a Lower Basilica. In the upper church there are large, medieval frescoes on the walls; in the lower church there are similar works as well as the crypt holding the remains of St. Francis. A friary, the Convent of St. Francis, adjoins the basilica.