The Museo del Tesoro della Basilica di San Francesco e Collezione Perkins is a museum inside the Basilica of Saint Francis complex in Assisi, with sacred objects and a collection of Italian paintings. Its setting and holdings make it a distinct stop alongside the basilica itself.
- Location: Palazzo Papale, reached from the apse of the Lower Basilica.
- Collection: Paintings, sculptures, goldwork, relics, religious books and sacred vestments.
- Admission: By donation.
- Access: The museum is described as not accessible.
What does the Museo del Tesoro display?
The Museo del Tesoro displays sacred objects and paintings spanning several centuries. Its collection began in the 13th century, when the first objects were donated in 1230 as Saint Francis’s body was transferred to the Lower Church.
The holdings include goldwork, relics, religious books, sacred vestments, paintings and sculptures. The collection also reflects a difficult history: Napoleonic troops looted Assisi in 1798, and the museum’s holdings suffered other losses and thefts over time.
The Perkins Collection was donated by American art historian Frederick Mason Perkins. It includes about 50 panel paintings dated to the 14th and 16th centuries, with works by Pietro Lorenzetti, Lorenzo Monaco and Sassetta.
A further 57 works of Italian painting, dating from the 13th to 17th centuries, were added in the 1980s. A separate music area displays instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Where is the museum within the basilica complex?
The museum is housed in Palazzo Papale, within the Basilica of Saint Francis complex at Via San Francesco, 2, 06081 Assisi. Visit Assisi describes the palace as built by Pope Gregory IX. From the apse of the Lower Basilica, follow the route into the museum.
The museum and basilica are separate visits: the Basilica of Saint Francis has free entry, while museum admission is by donation. For details on the church itself, including its two levels, see this guide to visiting the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi.
What are the opening hours and admission details?
Visit Assisi gives the museum’s regular schedule as Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays. Entry is allowed until 20 minutes before closing.
The museum also has annual closure periods and dates, including January 8 to March 22, Easter, and several public and religious holidays. Hours may change because of services in the basilica. Call Visit Assisi at +39 075 819 001 and check the official site before you go.
How do you reach the museum and plan your visit?
The museum is described as not accessible. It has restrooms, an information point and a shop; there is no audio guide, guided tour service, refreshment point or cloakroom listed. Keep these limitations in mind when planning your stop.
For bus access, the museum is 400 metres from the C-line stop at Piazza Unità d’Italia and 280 metres from the A–B-line stop at Porta San Giacomo. Only authorized vehicles may enter Assisi’s historic centre; the paid Giovanni Paolo II car park is identified as the nearest parking.
Santa Lucia is about 5.8 km from the museum; Santa Lucia rooms in Bastia are at the hotel.
Combining the museum with the basilica
Pair the museum with a visit to the Basilica of Saint Francis, allowing time for both the Lower and Upper Churches. The museum’s entrance from the Lower Basilica makes it possible to connect the visits within the same complex.
The basilica’s official site gives the Lower Church hours as 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Upper Church hours as 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; the Lower Church closes at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
FAQs
Do you need to buy a ticket for the museum?
Admission to the museum is by donation.
Is the museum open every day?
No. Its regular schedule excludes Mondays, and additional annual closures apply.
Can you visit the museum with limited mobility?
The museum is described as not accessible, so check directly with Visit Assisi if you need specific access information.