Our focus will be to give you a snapshot of 5 areas:
1. Basilica of Saint Francis
2. Basilica of Saint Clare
3. Convent of San Damiano
4. The Portiuncula - the little Portion
5. The Hermitage
Assisi Shrines - 1. Basilica of Saint Francis
The Basilica of Saint Francis is the first, must see place in Assisi. This Basilica was built soon after his death.
The lower crypt has the tomb of Saint Francis - a rugged stone structure - simple and rugged like Francis
The upper Basilica has depicted the life of Francis on one side and the life of Jesus on the other.
Also, here you see those famous scenes of Francis holding up Saint John Lateran Basilica and the image of him that is most famous.
Assisi Shrines - 2. Basilica of Saint Clare
Just down the street is the Basilica of Saint Clare. Here you will see her incorrupt body in the lower crypt. In the main level is a museum devoted to Saint Clare. I remember seeing how beautiful her curly blond hair still is to this day.
Also in the main level is a huge replica of the Cross of San Damiano.
Assisi Shrines - 3. Convent of San Damiano
Remember this is the little structure that Saint Francis built after Jesus spoke to him from the Cross and told him to rebuild my Church. Later Francis gave this to Saint Clare and the Poor Clare Nuns and it became their convent.
Inside is the Cross of San Damiano that spoke to Francis. Here is where the Miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi occurred where Saint Clare frightened off invaders with a Monstrance holding the Holy Eucharist.
While we were videotaping there, we were allowed to enter the dining area used at the time of Saint Clare.
Visitors are not allowed in this room. I saw the table and the spot where Saint Clare sat was marked with a cross.
Above Assisi, easily accessible by cab is the Hermitage with great scenes of the valley below and the cluster of buildings and outside altars and walking paths.
SIDEBAR All of these scenes above are in the dvd on the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare - see below. SIDEBAR
DVDs available on the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare $19.95 each taped in Assisi
Saint Francis dvd
Saint Clare dvd
Use the pull down menu to select other Shrines of Italy and select go to view