The cathedral facade incorporates stones from a Roman temple that previously occupied the site.
The baptismal font used for St. Francis is still located inside the nave.
The Romanesque sculptures on the facade serve as a theological 'sermon in stone' for the illiterate medieval public.
The cathedral's bell tower is built upon the podium of an ancient Roman temple.
The current cathedral is the third church built on this site since the 4th century.
The interior contains a 16th-century painting by Dono Doni depicting the Crucifixion.
A Roman cistern from the 1st century BC remains visible within the underground levels.
The cathedral is dedicated to Rufinus of Assisi, the city's first bishop and patron saint.
The Cathedral of San Rufino is the primary cathedral of Assisi, Italy, and serves as the baptismal site of St. Francis and St. Clare. The current Romanesque structure dates back to the 12th century, designed by Giovanni da Gubbio. Its facade is divided into three horizontal tiers, featuring three ornate rose windows and carved portal figures depicting lions and griffins. The interior was renovated in the 16th century by Galeazzo Alessi in a Renaissance style. Beneath the current church lies a crypt containing remnants of an earlier 11th-century basilica and a Roman cistern. A baptismal font from the 12th century remains preserved inside, marking the site where St. Francis was initiated into the church. The adjacent bell tower stands on the site of a former Roman temple. The building serves as the seat of the Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino.
The piazza directly in front of the main facade for the best perspective of the rose windows.
Visit the Diocesan Museum located next to the cathedral to see additional archaeological artifacts.
Explore the crypt area for a view of the Roman-era foundations and early medieval frescoes.
Take time to view the exterior facade details in the early morning light for the best visibility of the stone carvings.
Do not mistake it for the Basilica of St. Francis, which is located on the opposite end of the town.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; maintain a low voice and refrain from using flash photography inside.
