Associazione Città Italiane Patrimonio Mondiale UNESCO
Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
Associazione Città Italiane Patrimonio Unesco
Piazza del Comune
Fontana dei Leoni
Landscape
Assisi
Ioannes Paulus P.P. II
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In 2000, the United Nations conferred the Comune of Assisi the status of "Depository Library" for all U.N.O. documents (full deposit).
The office cooperates with international bodies, especially the UN, in:
- Running the UNO Depository Library
- Organising seminars, specialisation courses, events, meetings
- Encouraging meetings aimed at promoting dialogue for peace and mutual cooperation
- Developing cultural and environmental assets
Background History
The origins of the city of Assisi are somewhat vague even though the oldest traces of human presence around Assisi date back to late Neolithic times. The Umbrians were the first inhabitants but, as confirmed by many of the town buildings and monuments, the Romans soon settled there. Assisi became a Roman Municipium in 89 BC Among the remains of the Municipium are: the well-preserved façade of Minerva’s Temple (one of the most complete examples of Holy Roman architecture); the Amphitheatre; the Roman Walls; the remains of the Forum and the frescoed house of a nobleman (believed to be Properzio).
For a long period beginning from the 3rd century, not much was mentioned about Assisi.
The city was ravaged by Barbarian invaders after the fall of the Roman Empire. Towards the year 1000 thanks to the involvement of religious orders, especially the Benedictines, and to new policies adopted by the free, independent Comune, Assisi underwent a period of economic and demographic revival. Assisi’s most famous son, San Francesco, was born there in 1182. Francis was elevated to sainthood in 1228, only two years after his death. From this moment on, the city on the slopes of Subasio became part of the history of Italy and the world. The Franciscan order with its principles of poverty soon became known the world over.
Another essential character Assisi’s fame was S. Clare who founded the “Poor Clares”.
There were frequent battles with neighbouring Perugia and at the beginning of the 14th century the internal conflicts were so fierce as to create bitter enmity between two distinct factions within the city.
Centuries of Imperial domination, subjection to Papal rule and dependence on nobility had brought the city a long way and made it part of the growing state of Italy.
The 9th century brought secularisation of the church and the ruination of artistic heritage.
With the unification of Italy, Assisi began slowly to leave behind the economic and social practices that represented the “ancième regime” and started to look forward. The city was also helped by the subsequent building of the train station that improved business generally and tourism in particular.
path: Index > English > Italian Sites > Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites > History, art and culture
Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites
Jump the contents and go to the summary
History, art and culture
In 2000, the United Nations conferred the Comune of Assisi the status of "Depository Library" for all U.N.O. documents (full deposit).
The office cooperates with international bodies, especially the UN, in:
- Running the UNO Depository Library
- Organising seminars, specialisation courses, events, meetings
- Encouraging meetings aimed at promoting dialogue for peace and mutual cooperation
- Developing cultural and environmental assets
Background History
The origins of the city of Assisi are somewhat vague even though the oldest traces of human presence around Assisi date back to late Neolithic times. The Umbrians were the first inhabitants but, as confirmed by many of the town buildings and monuments, the Romans soon settled there. Assisi became a Roman Municipium in 89 BC Among the remains of the Municipium are: the well-preserved façade of Minerva’s Temple (one of the most complete examples of Holy Roman architecture); the Amphitheatre; the Roman Walls; the remains of the Forum and the frescoed house of a nobleman (believed to be Properzio).
For a long period beginning from the 3rd century, not much was mentioned about Assisi.
The city was ravaged by Barbarian invaders after the fall of the Roman Empire. Towards the year 1000 thanks to the involvement of religious orders, especially the Benedictines, and to new policies adopted by the free, independent Comune, Assisi underwent a period of economic and demographic revival. Assisi’s most famous son, San Francesco, was born there in 1182. Francis was elevated to sainthood in 1228, only two years after his death. From this moment on, the city on the slopes of Subasio became part of the history of Italy and the world. The Franciscan order with its principles of poverty soon became known the world over.
Another essential character Assisi’s fame was S. Clare who founded the “Poor Clares”.
There were frequent battles with neighbouring Perugia and at the beginning of the 14th century the internal conflicts were so fierce as to create bitter enmity between two distinct factions within the city.
Centuries of Imperial domination, subjection to Papal rule and dependence on nobility had brought the city a long way and made it part of the growing state of Italy.
The 9th century brought secularisation of the church and the ruination of artistic heritage.
With the unification of Italy, Assisi began slowly to leave behind the economic and social practices that represented the “ancième regime” and started to look forward. The city was also helped by the subsequent building of the train station that improved business generally and tourism in particular.