La Verna and Montecasale (in Tuscany) have a great importance in
the life of Saint Francis.
Among the scenes placed around the Annunciation narrating
various episodes in the life of the Little Friar, is the one of the Saint
throwing himself naked among the thorns when he was prey to temptation.
In front of the Porziuncola is the Chapel of the Transit, where St. Francis
died on 3rd October 1226.
In addition to the Saint’s dwelling place, there
is the Chapel of the Weeping, an oratory with a simple, bare interior,
typical of Franciscan humility. It is the oldest construction around the Porziuncola.
In the Basilica, beneath the presbytery, the new crypt was
built (1968) by incorporating the old dwelling places of the friars minor
that came to light in 1966. Behind the high altar in the crypt is the
splendid terracotta executed by Andrea Della Robbia in around 1490,
depicting various events in the life of Saint Francis.
Adjacent to the Basilica is the four-sided Holy Convent of the Porziuncola,
the first Church of the Franciscan order. The building is decorated with
numerous frescos representing various episodes in the life of the Saint.
Near the entrance to the cloister there is a depiction of Saint Francis
receiving the stigmata (fresco by an anonymous 18th-century artist).
Providoni is the name of the artist who executed the 38 frescos in the
cloister showing episodes in the life of St. Francis.
Of great historical interest is the well-stocked library housed in the
convent (circa 100,000 volumes) and the archive of the friars minor of
Umbria. Near the Porziuncola is the Museum, containing precious church
ornaments and other objects. picture gallery exhibiting numerous paintings,
including a panel attributed to the "Maestro di S. Francesco" with a
portrait of Saint Francis (13th century). This is considered to be a true
relic because the Saint’s body was lain on the boards that constitute its
support. There is another Saint Francis as well, probably to be attributed
to Cimabue.
Cathedral of S.Rufino-(Assisi)
From Piazza del Comune, Via San Rufino leads up to a rectangular piazza on
which the Cathedral of S. Rufino stands. The building of the church started
in around 1140 to a design by Giovanni of Gubbio. Its consecration took
place in 1253 and was performed by Innocent IV.
The Cathedral houses the relics of St. Ruphinus, bishop of Assisi, who was
martyred in 238. The facade is divided into three areas: in the bottom area
splendid bas-reliefs decorate the three portals. Of considerable interest is
the lunette with Christ enthroned between the sun and the moon, with St.
Ruphinus and the Virgin suckling her Son. The middle area of the facade is
decorated with three rose windows; the most important is the one in the
center, surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists.
The upper area has a central gable that was probably
intended to accommodate a mosaic. There is a building beside the bell-tower,
where the house of St. Clare once stood. At the beginning of the right-hand
aisle is the Baptismal Font made out of a granite column. It was here that
St. Francis (in 1182) and St. Clare (in 1193) and their followers in Assisi
were baptised. Opening off the right-hand aisle is the "Chapel of the
Sacrament" (begun in 1541 and extended in 1663), in baroque taste, with
polychrome marbles and stuccoes and canvases representing the theme of the
"Eucharist".
Also worthy of note is the statue representing the Little Friar of Assisi,
executed by the sculptor Duprè. The right-hand side of the apse gives access
to the Oratory of S. Francesco below, a place where the Saint used to retire
to pray before preaching in the Cathedral.
Chiesa Nuova (New Church)-(Assisi)
Near the Town Hall stands a splendid 17th century Church: the Sanctuary of
the Chiesa Nuova, built on the ruins of an edifice thought to be the house
belonging to St. Francis' father. The Greek cross interior is entirely
frescoed with images of the baroque epoch (many were restored in the early
20th century).
The Franciscan mementoes consists of the Saint's bedroom, now visible in the
high altar area, and the shop where Francis sold cloth. In the first pillar
on the left is the cupboard where he was imprisoned by his father and where
a 17th-century wooden statue is preserved.
In the second pillar is the entrance to what remains of
Francis' house (Pietro Bernardone's workshop). In the presbytery, on the
high altar, is the Dream of St. Francis by Cesare Sermei.
On the left-hand
side of the presbytery are frescos and canvases that decorate the entire
church, executed by two painters from Assisi of the 17th century: Sermei and
Giorgetti.
The works represent episodes in the life of Saints Francis, Clare
and Bernardine of Siena and various martyrdoms of the Saints of the
Franciscan Order. On the right-hand side of the presbytery are depictions of
the Franciscan protomartyrs of Morocco; in the left-hand chapel, dedicated
to the Immaculate Conception, is the altar-piece Queen of the minors,
executed by Polinori.
In the right-hand chapel, dedicated to S. Emidio, we find the altar-piece
representing Saint Francis and the Franciscan Saints. On the left-hand side:
The seven Franciscan martyrs of Ceuta; on the right-hand side we find The
Franciscan protomartyrs of Japan; if we look up we can see a representation
of the Franciscan Saints (F. Emanuele da Como).
In the pendentives in the central dome of the Sanctuary of the Chiesa Nuova
are the Four evangelists. On the pillars of the great dome: eight episodes
in the life of St. Francis.
On the left-hand side of the Chiesa Nuova, down the short
backstreet of Vicolo superiore di S. Antonio, is the oratory of San
Francesco Piccolino, where the Saint was born. Proof of this event is
provided by an inscription above the entrance door that proclaims: "This
oratory was a stable for the ox and the ass where Francis was born, mirror
of the world".
Church of Santa Maria Maggiore - (Assisi)
In the 11th century, in the center of the town of Assisi, a cathedral stood
on the ruins of a pagan Temple. Several documents of circa 963, drawn up on
this site, bear witness to the fact that the church was reconstructed in the
years 1212-1228. In the Romanesque style, it is Assisi's first cathedral.
Before 1035, the title of cathedral was transferred to S. Rufino, but S.
Maria Maggiore maintains the episcopal see.
The facade (completely rebuilt in 1937) is very simple, with a pitched form
divided into three by pilasters, according to the Umbrian-Romanesque style.
In the center is a rose window with eight straight rays and an inscription
of 1163 bearing the name of Giovanni, who some have identified as Giovanni
of Gubbio, the architect who built the Cathedral of S. Rufino. The
14th-century Romanesque-Gothic bell-tower is very fine. Nowadays no longer
visible, in the apse area there is a plaque written in Latin that said:
"Year 1216... at the time of Bishop Guido and Brother Francis".
Inside, the church has three aisles; the central one has
a trussed roof whilst the side ones are vaulted. In the apse, along the
aisles and in the sacristy, 14th- and 15th-century frescos and a 9th-century
sarcophagus can be seen. The small left-hand aisle preserves a fresco
representing a Deposition of Christ, dating back to the early years of the
Risorgimento.
In the central aisle, on the left, is a Madonna of Misericordia, a Bishop
Saint and St. Lucy (late 14th century), attributed to Andrea of Bologna;
likewise the figure of a Deacon Saint, on the second arch. On the wall of
the second arch, on the left, is a Madonna and Child of the Umbrian school
(1300); on the right a canvas attributed to Carloni, of the 17th century,
representing Veronica and the Redeemer.
The other frescos were destroyed in
the earthquake of 1832. On the left-hand wall of the presbytery in "cornu
Evangelii", is a coat of arms with the inscription of the bishop Guido II.
The 9th-10th-century crypt leads to an underground room (it came to light in
1865) containing the ruins of an ancient Roman house. The underground room
has an irregular plan, divided into two aisles with four columns. Next to
the church is the bishop's palace of Assisi, where the young Francis, under
the eyes of Bishop Guido, chose the path of total service to God and
therefore of freedom from the earthly world.
It was in this very place that the Saint was the bishop's
guest, before he went to die, as he had asked, in his adored Porziuncola.
Eremo delle Carceri- (Assisi)
Eremo delle Carceri - (Assisi)An ancient 14th-century
hermitage situated about 5 km from Assisi. Saint Francis used to withdraw to
this place, along with his companions, for long periods of time, meditating
and praying in the heart of the woods on Mount Subasio. It was called Eremo
delle Carceri because the word "Carcere" meant Sacred Retreat. Originally it
was just a small Oratory, which struck Francis as the ideal place for
penance and contemplation.
In the early 1300s the site was handed over to the Friars Minor; in 1373 it
was given to the Blessed Paoluccio Trinci, who built the first cells there,
in the form of a dormitory, around the cave of Saint Francis and next to the
Small Chapel of Saint Mary (oratory of S. Maria). The cave is now separated
into two rooms with a bed carved into the rock and a corner for meditation.
Subsequently the convent was enlarged without undergoing further
alterations. Above the door of the convent we can still see the sculpted
monogram of Saint Bernardine. Inside there is a refectory with 15th-century
tables; on one wall there is a fresco dating back to 1595 depicting the Last
Supper.
On the top floor we find the dormitory, where the cells
are located. Outside is a small cloister giving access to the chapel of
Saint Bernardine, which was frescoed in the early 15th century. Behind the
altar there is a fresco by Tiberio d'Assisi: "The Virgin, Child and Saint
Francis" dating back to 1506.
On the altar in the oratory is a Crucifix that
is thought to be the one that Saint Francis wore on his chest when he went
out to evangelize the people. A tiny door leads back outside. On the floor
there is a perforated plaque known as "the Devil’s Hole". According to
tradition it was into this opening in the mountain that the devil hurled
himself, after having tried in vain to tempt Francis. In the wood below are
the caves of the Blessed Rufinus and Masseus.
Here, visitors can still
admire the tree of the birds, an ancient ilex, on which it is said the birds
would perch to receive the Little Friar’s blessing. Further along this
highly atmospheric path is the statue depicting St. Francis freeing the
turtledoves by Rosignoli (1882). Saint Francis’ walk leads to the cave of
Brother Leo.
The cells of the Saint’s other companions, Bernard of Quintavalle, Brother Giles, Sylvester, Andrew of Spello and Anthony of
Stroncone, are situated beyond the ditch.
The view from the Eremo, sweeping over the valley of the Topino, Chiascio
and Tiber rivers, is one of rare beauty.
Saint Francis found this place
to be a source of inspiration and ideal for deep meditation, and maybe this
is why, alongside the church of San Damiano, the Eremo delle Carceri is
without doubt the “most Franciscan” place in Assisi.
Church of Rivotorto - (Assisi)
Saint Francis and his "brothers" lived in this place at the beginning of
their evangelical mission. Originally it was a humble coenoby consisting of
a chapel with two tiny cells and was so small that when the number of
brothers grew, it was necessary to write the name of each friar on the beams
so that each one should have a place assigned to him. It was such a precious
monument and had always been so greatly venerated, that in 1586 Sixtus IV
decided to build a bigger church there, which was begun in 1600 and
completed in 1640. A convent was later annexed to it.
As a result of the earthquake of 1853, the church was rebuilt in the
neo-Gothic style, according to a design by brother Bernardo Tini; however,
the ancient chapel and the Saint's hovel remained intact. The facade is
similar to the church of S. Rufino, with a pitched roof, three portals and
circular windows. The facade also bears a plaque recording the bull of
Benedict XIV, in which he declared the church to be a "papal chapel".
On the gable there is a depiction of "The vision of the
chariot of fire". In the ancient coenobium, partly rebuilt in 1926, there are
three small rooms: the Saint's cell, a small chapel with a 15th-century
altar and a kitchen or fire-room.
