The places linked to the life and spirituality of Saint Francis of Assisi, known as Sanctuaries of Saint Francis, are destinations of various itineraries that combine spirituality with the charm of history, art and nature.
The Franciscan shrines not only tell the life of the “Poverello d’Assisi”, but offer the possibility to immerse yourself in a deep spirituality and at the same time in contexts rich in landscape and artistic level.
11 Sanctuaries of Saint Francis
The Sanctuaries of Saint Francis are places that have marked the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and in which the Franciscan spirituality finds its origin. There are several, but the most important ones include:
- Sanctuary of the Verna (Chiusi della Verna, Arezzo) – In the Tuscan hills is the place where Francis was marked by stigmata. Among what to see at the Sanctuary of the Verna are the frescoes of the Chapel of the Stigmata that tell the life of the Saint;
- Sanctuary of San Damiano (Assisi) – This sanctuary is of great importance since it is the site where Francis received his call;
- Eremo delle Carceri (Assisi) – Located on the mountains, this hermitage was a place of meditation and prayer for Francis and his first companions;
- Convent of the Porziuncola (Assisi) – This small church, attached to the sanctuary of Santa Maria degli Angeli, saw the birth of the first community of followers of Francis of Assisi and the Forgiveness of Assisi;
- Sanctuary of San Francesco Monteluco (Spoleto) – It is a convent founded by him on a sacred mountain and characterized by caves and cells where he and Sant’Antonio da Padova retired to pray;
- Eremo del Sacro Speco (Sant’Urbano di Narni) – A quiet place where Francis used to retreat to meditate and do penance;
- Sanctuary of Greccio (Rieti) – Saint Francis made the first living nativity scene in the thirteenth century right here and made the Nativity a tangible moment;
- Sanctuary of Rivotorto (Assisi) – In the vicinity of Mount Subasio is the refuge in line with the principles of humility and poverty of Saint Francis. The sacred hovel inside the church allows you to breathe again the atmosphere of prayer and work that characterized the life of the saint;
- Sanctuary of Fonte Colombo (Rieti) – In this place of the Reatina Valley is the cave where the saint wrote the Rule of the Friars Minor, the first step towards the regularization of the order. The small chapel seems suspended in time, offering a place of silence and introspection;
- Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone (Rieti) – On the mountain near the convent of San Giacomo di Poggio Bustone there is still a hermitage in which the saint retired to pray;
- Sanctuary of the Forest (Rieti) – It is near Rieti and is where Francis was taken to have his eyes operated. It is also known for the miracle of the grape and for being the context in which part of the Song of Creatures came to life.
Itineraries to discover the Sanctuaries of Saint Francis
Unlike the Camino de Santiago or the Via Francigena, it cannot be said that there is a map of the Camino de San Francisco or a Way of Francis in the strict sense.
The Sanctuaries of San Francesco are part of several itineraries in Italy that give a travel experience that combines inner reflection and discovery of cultural heritage.
The itineraries following in the footsteps of Francis
There are several spiritual itineraries developed to allow pilgrims and travelers to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis.
Among the most well-known Franciscan itineraries is the Way of Assisi because it connects the places that are symbols of the life of Saint Francis, from some of the shrines linked to his spiritual experience in Assisi. It can be tackled in several days and allows you to immerse yourself in the sacred places and natural beauty between Emilia Romagna and Umbria, following a route that goes from Dovadola to the city of Assisi.
The Way of Francis is another important route that is divided into two main directions: the Way of the North and the Way of the South. The first part starts from the Sanctuary of Verna and runs between Tuscany and Umbria while the second part from the Basilica of San Pietro in Rome and crosses Lazio and Umbria. All point towards Assisi. This path offers the opportunity to experience less known places, such as Poggio Bustone, as well as discover villages, medieval abbeys, hermitages and breathtaking landscapes.
Cultural and artistic routes
In addition to the strictly spiritual itineraries, the life of the saint can also be discovered through the artistic production that his message has inspired. In Assisi, but not only, there are basilicas and shrines that house priceless works of art, from frescoes to sculptures.
The Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi is undoubtedly the pinnacle of works of art dedicated to the saint: the fresco Maestà di Assisi by Cimabue, the work Stigmata di san Francesco by Pietro Lorenzetti and the painting Stigmata di san Francesco by the Maestro of San Francesco in the lower Basilica and the ancient Stained Glass with stigmata of the Maestro of San Francesco and the work Stigmata di san Francesco by Giotto inside the Basilica superior. In the adjacent Museum of the Treasury is the Saint Francis table and four of his miracles of the Master of the Treasure of Saint Francis.
In the Basilica of Santa Chiara, also in Assisi, there is the Crucifix of San Damiano and the Crucifix of the Master of Santa Chiara, both dating from the mid-twelfth century.
The Diocesan Museum and Crypt of San Rufino hosts the banner Gonfalone processional of the Master of San Leonardo.
Turning your gaze to the Porziuncola Museum, you will find the Dossale of Andrea della Robbia celebrating the reception of the stigmata and the table San Francesco between two angels of the Master of San Francesco.
In the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli are the fresco Il perdono d’Assisi by Friedrich Overbeck and the painting Stimmate di san Francesco by Giacomo Giorgetti.
Finally, in the Sanctuary of San Damiano, there is the painting Stigmata di san Francesco di Eusebio da San Giorgio while the Pinacoteca Comunale di Assisi houses the oil on canvas Stigmata di San Francesco by Dono Doni.
In addition to the masterpieces of Assisi, many other works celebrate the life and message of Saint Francis. Among these, we remember the tempera painting of San Francesco and stories of his life made by Bonaventura Berlinghieri and kept in the church of San Francesco di Pescia and the statue of the saint to work of Donatello and preserved in the basilica of Sant’Antonio da Padova.
nature trails
The journey to discover the Sanctuaries of Saint Francis allows you to immerse yourself in the places that inspired his writings, such as the famous Song of the Creatures, and which he chose to withdraw into prayer.
For example, the Assisi Way offers a journey through timeless natural scenery, starting from Dovadola (Emilia-Romagna) to Assisi (Umbria). For example, the path of hope from the Hermitage of Montepaolo leads to the cave where they prayed “Poverello d’Assisi” and Sant’Antonio while in Premilcuore (Monte Arsiccio) you can admire the natural pools and the cave carved into the rock. And again, in the Park of the Casentino Forests you will find ancient mule tracks and water mills and near the Eremo della Verna you are surrounded by the beauty of the mountain. After crossing the hills surrounding Gubbio, you will arrive in Assisi.
Along the Via di Francesco, in its northern direction, you can take a route rich in natural beauty, such as the National Park of the Casentino Forests where the Sanctuary of the Verna is located. Continuing through the hills of the Upper Tiber Valley in Umbria, you will pass through medieval villages, each with its own historical and cultural heritage. Once you arrive in Gubbio, the landscape of Valfabbrica opens up before arriving at the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.
The South Way is equally interesting. Starting from Rome, you cross the countryside and the Sabina until you reach the Valle Reatina, known as the Valle Santa (where there are four important Franciscan shrines). Continue in the Valnerina, along several villages, to the Sanctuary of Monteluco, near an ancient sacred forest. Finally, you reach the Umbrian cities (such as Spoleto, Trevi, Foligno and Spello) and you reach Assisi.
It does not matter what formula is chosen. The Sanctuaries of Saint Francis allow you to rediscover the figure of the Saint through a journey that connects with the past and invites reflection.
Copertina : Unsplash
