As the home to St Francis and St Clare, along with its ancient Roman roots, there are a number of sites to visit in Assisi that are of both religious and historical importance. Although many sites were heavily damaged as a result of an earthquake in 1997, many museums and other sites have since reopened. A few of the sites worth visiting in Assisi include:
- Basilica of St Francis and the Sacro Convento -- for those on religious pilgrammage and regular visitors alike, a visit to Assisi would not be complete without a vist to the Basilica of St Francis. The basilica features Gothic architecture and is decorated with beautiful frescoes. Although a number of frescoes were damaged during the 1997 earthquake, restoration activities have helped to restore the artwork.
- Porziuncola Museum -- Located in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the museum features a number of religious iconography and other pieces of religious artwork. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the winter and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 o.m. in the summertime. Admission is free.
- Cathedral Museum and Crypt of St Rufino -- Located in St Rufino's Cathedral, has a number of archeological objects, religious vestments, and other items of religious importance. The small museum is open between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 16 through October 15 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. October 16 to March 15. Cost of admission is 3 Euro.
- Civic Museum and Roman Forum -- Located on Via Portica, 2, the museum's holdings include Umbrian and Roman antiquities. Parts of the old city wall and portions of ancient Roman pavement have also been preserved for viewing. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 16 to October 15 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. October 16 to March 15.
- Rocca Maggiore -- Perched on top of a hill, this castle is the predominant sight when you look upward to Assisi. The castle was highly damaged as a result of the 1997 earthquake, and many parts of the castle are not yet open to the public.
- Now open to the public - note added August, 2007
No Assisi visit is complete without a stop at the Eremo delle Carceri ("the Hermitage"), 15th c. monastery built under direction of St. Bernardino di Siena on the slopes of Mt. Subasio in the midst of a forest of centuries-old live oaks. The monastery complex was built over the grottoes where St. Francis and his followers withdrew for periods of prayer and meditation in the 13th century.
Closes before sunset - in summer, about 6 pm. Location - about 4 km uphill - exiting town from Porta Cappuccini (not far from parking lot, Piazza Matteoti. Possible to take taxi up to the Hermitage - and cabs can be hired in Piazza S. Chiara, Piazza Comune, Piazza San Pietro (parking area). Suggestion: cab up and walk down.
*Before doing any touring in Assisi, purchase guide book - good selection at Zubboli bookstore opposite the Minerva Temple (1st BC) in the main square, Piazza del Comune. The Tourist Office is also here.
