The Etruscan settlement on the site of modern Assisi appeared in the 7th century BC. The Romans conquered the region of Umbria in the 3rd century BC. The town on the slope of Mount Subasio they called Assisium. Today it is called Assisi. The town is famous for being the birthplace of Francis of Assisi, one of the most revered Catholic saints.
The inhabitants of Assisi converted to Christianity in the 3rd century, thanks to the preaching of Saint Rufinus. He became the first bishop of Assisi. During these years, the Roman emperors still persecuted Christians, and many priests were executed. Saint Rufinus was martyred in Constano (a town in Umbria) in 238. In the center of Assisi, on the site of an ancient temple, is the cathedral of St. Rufinus. It was built in the 13th century. The crypt of the cathedral houses the relics of Saint Rufinus, and nearby you can visit the cathedral museum.
In 1154, King Frederick I Barbarossa of Germany invaded Italy. Thanks to this campaign of conquest, he received the title of Holy Roman Emperor in 1155. After the transition to the rule of Frederick Barbarossa, the active construction of fortress walls began in Assisi. The town has acquired the appearance that we see now.
The small town of Assisi gained worldwide fame thanks to Saint Francis of Assisi. He is one of the most revered Catholic saints who was born and died here. He founded the mendicant Franciscan monastic Order, which changed a lot in the Catholic Church in those years.
In 1209, Francis began his sermons and appealed to Pope Innocent III to establish a monastic order. Under Innocent III, the secular power of the Popes reached its highest level. He was more powerful and wealthy than many kings. Monasteries in those years were the richest landowners. Francis and his followers have completely renounced material benefits of life. They became missionaries who preached against heresies and brought people back to the commandments of Christ. Two years after his death in 1226, Saint Francis of Assisi was canonized.
Immediately after the canonization in Assisi, the construction of the Basilica of St. Francis began. By 1239, the Lower Church was built. Saint Francis was buried in its crypt. By 1253, the Upper Church was built. It is built in the Romanesque architectural style, although then the Gothic style was already widespread. Some of the frescoes of the Upper Church were painted by the great Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone. A huge Sacro Convento Monastery was built around the Basilica.
Another Shrine of the Franciscan Order is the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which is located in a valley at the foot of mount Subasio. It was founded in 1569, and completed a century later. It has a huge size. This Basilica is built over the small chapel of Porziuncula, where St. Francis lived when he founded the Franciscan Order and conducted his missionary work.
The Basilica of St. Francis and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi are among the six Great Basilicas of Italy. Four of them are in Rome, and two in Assisi.
During the life of Francis of Assisi in 1211, his successor became Clara of Assisi. She was the daughter of wealthy parents, but also, like Francis, gave up property and founded the female order of St. Clare. She died in 1253 and was canonized two years later. St. Clare was buried in the monastery of St. George, which then became known as the Basilica of St. Clare. Until the Basilica of St. Francis was built, his body was also buried in this monastery.
The historic center of Assisi is located on the Municipal Square. In the time of Ancient Rome, the Forum was located here. Now on the square you can visit the ancient temple of Minerva, as well as the Palace of the People`s Captain and the Palace of Priors. On a high hill above the town is located the powerful fortress of Rocca Maggiore (Great Fortress). It was founded in the 10th century after the conquest of Italy by Charlemagne.
