One of the famed attractions of the city of Umbria is the Basilica di San Francesco or Roman Catholic Church that is devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi. It is located in Assisi.

The Basilica di San Francesco is made up of two separate churches, the Lower Basilica and the Upper Basilica. These both were built at an interval of about 50 years, the upper church being built 50 years later.

In the year 1253 AD, Pope Innocent IV has duly consecrated the twin churches. Strangely, the two churches are similar as far as appearance and general layout are concerned, but once you visit the inside you feel there is a world of difference between the two and that the two are totally different in their style of construction.

From an architectural viewpoint both these churches are exemplary in their own right. The coffin of St. Francis of Assisi is on display in the Lower Basilica church which is of Romanesque style. The walls of the churches are adorned by mural paintings done with watercolors on wet plaster. These frescoes are regarded as the finest not only in Italy but the entire of Europe. The upper basilica is in the Gothic style and even here we see the walls adorned by amazing frescoes.

The basilica is atop wonderful landscape with a beautiful courtyard. It’s believed that popes had been to this place as a retreat during summer and also a place to hide from antipopes. The place promises eyes content of beauty and can be included in every visitor’s itinerary.