Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy
The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is a Catholic church in the city of Assisi, central Italy. This church is the principal church of the Franciscan Order and one of the main centres of Catholic pilgrimage in Italy. The founder of the order, the Assisi-born Saint Francis, is buried in the church.
Construction of the Basilica of Saint Francis began in 1228 on a hillside northwest of the city. It includes two main parts (Upper and Lower Church) and a crypt, which contains the remains of the saint discovered in 1818 after two months of excavations.
The Upper Church is built in the Gothic style and houses Giotto's incomparable fresco cycle "The Life of St. Francis" as well as works by Chimabue, his teacher. Together with the nearby monastery, the Basilica of Saint Francis is an imposing landmark rising above the surrounding countryside. In 2000 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.