the basilica of st. francis of assisi is themother church of the roman catholic order of friars minor - commonly known as the franciscanorder - in assisi, italy, the city where st. francis was born and died. the basilica isone of the most important places of christian pilgrimage in italy. with its accompanyingfriary, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching assisi. it has been aunesco world heritage site since 2000.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, the basilica, which was begun in 1228, isbuilt into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the upper church andthe lower church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. the interior ofthe upper church is an important early example of the gothic style in italy. the upper andlower churches are decorated with frescoes
by numerous late medieval painters from theroman and tuscan schools, and include works by cimabue, giotto, simone martini, pietrolorenzetti and possibly pietro cavallini. the range and quality of the works gives thebasilica a unique importance in demonstrating the development of italian art of this period. the franciscan friary and the lower and upperbasilicas of francis of assisi were begun in honor of this local saint, immediatelyafter his canonization in 1228. simone di pucciarello donated the land for the church,a hill at the west side of assisi, known as "hill of hell" where previously criminalswere put to death. today, this hill is called "hill of paradise".
in 1818, the remains of st francis were rediscoveredbeneath the floor of the lower basilica. in the reign of pope pius ix a crypt was builtso that the faithful might visit the burial place of the saint.
the basilica of st. francis of assisi is themother church of the roman catholic order of friars minor - commonly known as the franciscanorder - in assisi, italy, the city where st. francis was born and died. the basilica isone of the most important places of christian pilgrimage in italy. with its accompanyingfriary, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching assisi. it has been aunesco world heritage site since 2000.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, the basilica, which was begun in 1228, isbuilt into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the upper church andthe lower church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. the interior ofthe upper church is an important early example of the gothic style in italy. the upper andlower churches are decorated with frescoes
by numerous late medieval painters from theroman and tuscan schools, and include works by cimabue, giotto, simone martini, pietrolorenzetti and possibly pietro cavallini. the range and quality of the works gives thebasilica a unique importance in demonstrating the development of italian art of this period. the franciscan friary and the lower and upperbasilicas of francis of assisi were begun in honor of this local saint, immediatelyafter his canonization in 1228. simone di pucciarello donated the land for the church,a hill at the west side of assisi, known as "hill of hell" where previously criminalswere put to death. today, this hill is called "hill of paradise".
in 1818, the remains of st francis were rediscoveredbeneath the floor of the lower basilica. in the reign of pope pius ix a crypt was builtso that the faithful might visit the burial place of the saint.