Porziuncola Museum (Museo della Porziuncola)

At the complex, you’ll see the tiny 13th-century Porziuncola chapel where St. Francis founded his order, the Cappella del Transito where Francis died, and the Franciscan Rose Garden, where thornless roses are said to have miraculously bloomed. The Porziuncola Museum is also a highlight—founded by Franciscan friars in 1924, the museum is home to religious art, reliquaries, and documents from the 13th to 15th centuries.

If you plan to visit the museum independently, book your ticket ahead of time to skip the entry line. Most Assisi day trips from Rome and Florence include a tour of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, along with other Franciscan sites such as Chiesa Nuova and the Basilica of Saint Francis. Full-day itineraries sometimes stop by Perugia, Orvieto, or Lake Trasimeno.

• The basilica complex is large—plan for lots of walking.

• The church, monastery, and museum are accessible to wheelchairs.

• As part of the sacred basilica complex, the museum requires guests to wear modest clothing.

The Porziuncola Museum is located inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli complex in the valley below Assisi. Walk from the train station, or take a local bus down the hillside from the historic center of Assisi.

The Porziuncola is an important Franciscan site, and tends to be crowded on religious holidays and the Feast Day of St. Francis (October 4), when special Masses and other events are held. For a quieter experience, go to the complex and museum on a weekday.

Look for these important works in the museum collection: a 13th-century Crucifix by Pisano, a depiction of the saint attributed to Cimabue, aMadonna del Latte statue from the 14th century, and a terracotta by Andrea della Robbia dating from 1475.