The San Rufino Cathedral of Assisi is not dedicated to St. Francis but to the city’s second saint. Tradition has it that the remains of this saint are buried under the cathedral’s main altar. Built in the 12th century, the church was completely restored after the 1997 earthquake.
San Rufino Cathedral Assisi
Address, opening hours and entrance fee
Address: Piazza San Rufino, 3 / Assisi. Telephone: +39 075813085. Opening hours: 08.00 – 13.00 and 15.00 – 19.00. (In winter afternoons from 14.00 – 18.00.) Closed: Never. Entrance fee: Free.
History
The Duomo of Assisi is said to have been built on the site where a temple built to the Bona Mater would have stood in Roman times.
Giovanni da Gubbio is responsible for the original construction of the church in 1135, although only the square bell tower, built on top of an ancient Roman cisterna, remains evidence of this.
Subsequent renovations and embellishments (including under Alessio in 1571 and later reconstructions at the end of the 19th century) have contributed more to its current appearancel.
After the 1997 earthquake, a complete restoration of the Cathedral was necessary.
Description
The façade is made of Travertine marble combined with the classic white and pink stone of Subasio and consists of three parts, with a central lunette, three rose windows (the middle one decorated with the symbols of the Evangelists) and the three entrance gates.
The interior of the cathedral, which consists of three naves with 10 side chapels, was remodeled by Alessi in the 16th century.
Once inside, one finds beautiful frescoes, a museum and, at the beginning of the right nave, the baptismal font where Saint Francis and Santa Chiara are said to have been baptized.
Below the church is a crypt containing the remains of San Rufino.
Curiosities
The birthplace of Santa Chiara is located next to the bell tower of the Cathedral.