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In the Basilica, beneath the presbytery, the new crypt was built (1968) by incorporating the old dwelling places of the friars minor that came to light in 1966. Behind the high altar in the crypt is the splendid terracotta executed by Andrea Della Robbia in around 1490, depicting various events in the life of Saint Francis. Adjacent to the Basilica is the four-sided Holy Convent of the Porziuncola, the first Church of the Franciscan order. The building is decorated with numerous frescos representing various episodes in the life of the Saint. Near the entrance to the cloister there is a depiction of Saint Francis receiving the stigmata (fresco by an anonymous 18th-century artist). Providoni is the name of the artist who executed the 38 frescos in the cloister showing episodes in the life of St. Francis. Of great historical interest is the well-stocked library housed in the convent (circa 100,000 volumes) and the archive of the friars minor of Umbria. Near the Porziuncola is the Museum, containing precious church ornaments and other objects. picture gallery exhibiting numerous paintings, including a panel attributed to the "Maestro di S. Francesco" with a portrait of Saint Francis (13th century). This is considered to be a true relic because the Saint’s body was lain on the boards that constitute its support. There is another Saint Francis as well, probably to be attributed to Cimabue. Cathedral of S.Rufino-(Assisi) The upper area has a central gable that was probably intended to accommodate a mosaic. There is a building beside the bell-tower, where the house of St. Clare once stood. At the beginning of the right-hand aisle is the Baptismal Font made out of a granite column. It was here that St. Francis (in 1182) and St. Clare (in 1193) and their followers in Assisi were baptised. Opening off the right-hand aisle is the "Chapel of the Sacrament" (begun in 1541 and extended in 1663), in baroque taste, with polychrome marbles and stuccoes and canvases representing the theme of the "Eucharist". Also worthy of note is the statue representing the Little Friar of Assisi, executed by the sculptor Duprč. The right-hand side of the apse gives access to the Oratory of S. Francesco below, a place where the Saint used to retire to pray before preaching in the Cathedral. Chiesa Nuova (New Church)-(Assisi) The Franciscan mementoes consists of the Saint's bedroom, now visible in the high altar area, and the shop where Francis sold cloth. In the first pillar on the left is the cupboard where he was imprisoned by his father and where a 17th-century wooden statue is preserved.
In the right-hand chapel, dedicated to S. Emidio, we find the altar-piece representing Saint Francis and the Franciscan Saints. On the left-hand side: The seven Franciscan martyrs of Ceuta; on the right-hand side we find The Franciscan protomartyrs of Japan; if we look up we can see a representation of the Franciscan Saints (F. Emanuele da Como). In the pendentives in the central dome of the Sanctuary of the Chiesa Nuova are the Four evangelists. On the pillars of the great dome: eight episodes in the life of St. Francis.
The facade (completely rebuilt in 1937) is very simple, with a pitched form divided into three by pilasters, according to the Umbrian-Romanesque style. In the center is a rose window with eight straight rays and an inscription of 1163 bearing the name of Giovanni, who some have identified as Giovanni of Gubbio, the architect who built the Cathedral of S. Rufino. The 14th-century Romanesque-Gothic bell-tower is very fine. Nowadays no longer visible, in the apse area there is a plaque written in Latin that said: "Year 1216... at the time of Bishop Guido and Brother Francis".
The 9th-10th-century crypt leads to an underground room (it came to light in 1865) containing the ruins of an ancient Roman house. The underground room has an irregular plan, divided into two aisles with four columns. Next to the church is the bishop's palace of Assisi, where the young Francis, under the eyes of Bishop Guido, chose the path of total service to God and therefore of freedom from the earthly world. It was in this very place that the Saint was the bishop's guest, before he went to die, as he had asked, in his adored Porziuncola. Eremo delle Carceri- (Assisi) Eremo delle Carceri - (Assisi)An ancient 14th-century hermitage situated about 5 km from Assisi. Saint Francis used to withdraw to this place, along with his companions, for long periods of time, meditating and praying in the heart of the woods on Mount Subasio. It was called Eremo delle Carceri because the word "Carcere" meant Sacred Retreat. Originally it was just a small Oratory, which struck Francis as the ideal place for penance and contemplation. In the early 1300s the site was handed over to the Friars Minor; in 1373 it was given to the Blessed Paoluccio Trinci, who built the first cells there, in the form of a dormitory, around the cave of Saint Francis and next to the Small Chapel of Saint Mary (oratory of S. Maria). The cave is now separated into two rooms with a bed carved into the rock and a corner for meditation. Subsequently the convent was enlarged without undergoing further alterations. Above the door of the convent we can still see the sculpted monogram of Saint Bernardine. Inside there is a refectory with 15th-century tables; on one wall there is a fresco dating back to 1595 depicting the Last Supper.
The cells of the Saint’s other companions, Bernard of Quintavalle, Brother Giles, Sylvester, Andrew of Spello and Anthony of
Stroncone, are situated beyond the ditch. Saint Francis found this place to be a source of inspiration and ideal for deep meditation, and maybe this is why, alongside the church of San Damiano, the Eremo delle Carceri is without doubt the “most Franciscan” place in Assisi. Church of Rivotorto - (Assisi) As a result of the earthquake of 1853, the church was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style, according to a design by brother Bernardo Tini; however, the ancient chapel and the Saint's hovel remained intact. The facade is similar to the church of S. Rufino, with a pitched roof, three portals and circular windows. The facade also bears a plaque recording the bull of Benedict XIV, in which he declared the church to be a "papal chapel". On the gable there is a depiction of "The vision of the chariot of fire". In the ancient coenobium, partly rebuilt in 1926, there are three small rooms: the Saint's cell, a small chapel with a 15th-century altar and a kitchen or fire-room. Courtesy of Umbria 2000
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