The church was built over the original church of San Giorgio, where Saint Clare was initially buried before being moved to the new basilica.
The massive lateral flying buttresses were added during the 14th century to stabilize the building's structural integrity against the sloping terrain.
The crypt houses a collection of items belonging to Saint Clare, including the earliest known habit of the Poor Clares.
The original cross from San Damiano, which serves as a pivotal icon in Franciscan history, is displayed in a dedicated chapel within the basilica.
The facade features a large rose window and is built using local Subasio stone, which gives it the signature pink hue.
The Basilica of Saint Clare is an Italian Gothic church recognized for its distinctive pink-and-white striped limestone facade and lateral flying buttresses. Constructed between 1257 and 1265, the building houses the tomb of Saint Clare of Assisi within its crypt. The interior preserves the original 13th-century crucifix that legend states spoke to Saint Francis of Assisi at San Damiano. The crypt, renovated in the 1930s, displays Saint Clare's remains and personal relics, including early Franciscan garments. The church is situated on the cliff edge of Assisi, overlooking the Umbrian valley. It remains an active place of worship for the Poor Clares order.
The piazza directly in front of the facade during the golden hour to capture the distinct striped limestone pattern.
Visit the crypt area, which is separate from the main nave and contains the most significant relics.
Maintain absolute silence, as this is an active cloistered monastery, not just a museum.
Walk to the terrace adjacent to the church for an unobstructed view of the Umbrian valley.
Do not mistake the Basilica of Saint Clare for the larger Basilica of Saint Francis on the opposite side of town.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; silence is strictly required; photography of the crypt/tomb area is often restricted.
