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Church · Assis, Úmbria
Santuario di San Damiano
Little church and convent among olive trees, below Assis, where Francis heard the request of the crucifix, Saint Clare lived with the first sisters and the Canticle of the Creatures was composed.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Santuario di San Damiano
San Damiano is a small Romanesque church on the hillside, among olive trees, about 1.5 kilometers below the walls of Assis. It was there that, around 1205, Francisco prayed before a painted crucifix and, according to tradition, heard: "Francisco, go and repair my house." He then began to restore the church with his own hands.
Shortly afterwards, San Damiano became the home of Clare and the first sisters of the order she founded. Clare lived there for more than 40 years, until her death in 1253. The visit passes through the wooden choir of the sisters, the small refectory with the original tables, and the dormitory where she died.
According to tradition, Francisco, already ill and nearly blind, composed there in 1225 the Canticle of the Creatures, one of the earliest poetic texts in the Italian language. In the church there is a copy of the crucifix; the original is now in the Basilica di Santa Chiara.
The convent is cared for by the Friars Minor and preserves the simple, silent atmosphere of the early Franciscan movement.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes at the sanctuary; add another 20–30 minutes of walking each way from the town center.
Best time
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light falls on the olive trees and there are fewer groups.
How to get there
On foot, departing from Porta Nuova near the Basilica di Santa Chiara, along a downhill road through olive groves—about 20 minutes. The return is uphill.
Tip
There is no entrance fee. It is a place of prayer: keep silence and come with shoulders and knees covered. Bring water in summer, as the path has little shade.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Santuario di San Damiano
What happened in San Damiano?
According to tradition, there Francis heard the crucifix ask him to repair the church. Later, Saint Clare lived there with the sisters until she died, in 1253.
How do you get to San Damiano on foot?
Via the Porta Nuova, near the Basilica di Santa Chiara, in a descent of about 20 minutes. The return is uphill.
Is the original crucifix in San Damiano?
No. The original is in the Basilica di Santa Chiara; in San Damiano there is a copy.
Is there an admission fee?
No.