Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
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The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis) is a World Heritage Site in Assisi, Italy.
The Franciscan monastery and the lower and upper church (Basilica inferiore e superiore) of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed 1253. The lower church has frescos by renowed late-medieval artists Cimabue and Giotto; in the Upper church are frescos of scenes in the life of St Francis by Giotto and his circle.
In October 1986 and January 2002, Catholic pontiff Pope John Paul II gathered in Assisi with the leaders of the great world confessions to pray for peace.
On September 26, 1997 Assisi was struck by an earthquake which caused four fatalities. The Basilica was badly damaged (part of the vault collapsed, carrying with it a fresco by Cimabue), and was closed for two years for restoration.
