Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco (Lower Square of St. Francis), Assisi

This square is like the warm-up spot before diving into the Basilica of Saint Francis, offering the most scenic views of both the complex and the lush Umbrian fields below. It was built around the same time as the basilica, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, they added the porticoes with hexagonal columns to accommodate pilgrims and sellers. Along with the geometric floor made of variously colored stone, these porticoes create a nice perspective play. Partly rebuilt in the 16th century, they were somewhat shaken by the earthquake of 1997.

In any case, the square is quite spacious and perfect for taking some awesome shots, with the Umbrian sky as a background. Its shape is reminiscent of a Renaissance version of a medieval cloister, longer than it is wide. If you head north, there's a steep staircase and a slope leading to the Upper Square. Oh, and there's also an info spot with audio guides, plus bathrooms attached, so you're pretty much all set.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Assisi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco (Lower Square of St. Francis)
Sight Location: Assisi, Italy (See walking tours in Assisi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Assisi Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Assisi, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Assisi

Creating your own self-guided walk in Assisi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

St. Francis' Assisi Walking Tour

A holy city for Christians, Assisi has been an eternal destination of pilgrimage since the 13th century for those venerating Saint Francis and wanting to the see where he was born, worked, died and was buried. As the birthplace of one of Catholicism鈥檚 most revered saints (and one of Italy's two saintly patrons), Assisi holds religion very close to its heart.

The entire city-sanctuary 鈥�... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Assisi Introduction Walking Tour

Assisi is located on the western slope of Mount Subasio. It is 1,300 feet above sea level, overlooking the rivers Topino and Chiasicio. It is a walled city with narrow, twisting streets and alleys. It originally was known as Assisium. Successively Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman, it became a Ghibelline commune in the 11th century.

There were clashes with Guelph Perugia. In the battle of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles

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