Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi

The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi is a vast Renaissance church built to enshrine the Porziuncola, the tiny 9th-century chapel where St. Francis experienced his calling and gathered his first followers. Stepping inside, the sheer scale is awe-inspiring: a soaring nave leads to a glass-encased sanctuary that protects the original stone chapel. The contrast between the humble Porziuncola and the grand basilica that surrounds it is a powerful symbol of Francis's legacy. Visitors can also see the Chapel of the Transito, where Francis died, and the Rose Garden, where legend says he threw himself into thorn bushes to resist temptation. The basilica is a place of pilgrimage, filled with quiet reverence, and the adjacent museum displays relics and artworks. The experience is both spiritual and historical, offering insight into the Franciscan movement that changed the Catholic Church.

Don't miss

• The Porziuncola chapel, preserved inside the basilica
• The Chapel of the Transito, where St. Francis died
• The Rose Garden and the bronze statue of St. Francis
• The museum with relics and artworks
• The grand facade and interior frescoes

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Papal Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi

Cheapest way inSt. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entrance Tour + Castel Sant’Angelo4.2★ · 180 travelers2–4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$22 per personSee dates →Most bookedSmall Group Tour of Assisi and St. Francis Basilica4.8★ · 211 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$70 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleBasilica of Saint Francis in Assisi - Private Tour5★ · 12 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$113 per personSee dates →