The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola stands in Santa Maria degli Angeli, a frazione of Assisi, and encloses the small Porziuncola church associated with Saint Francis. A visit can take in the Porziuncola, the Chapel of the Transit and the Rose Garden, with the Porziuncola Museum inside the same complex.
- Location: Piazza Porziuncola, 1, Santa Maria degli Angeli.
- Typical opening hours: 7:30–12:30 and 14:30–19:00.
- Admission: basilica entry is free; the museum charges admission, with reduced and free categories.
Where the Porziuncola is
The Porziuncola is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, about 4 kilometers from Assisi’s historic center. The basilica stands near the SS 75 highway exit, at Piazza Porziuncola, 1.
Built between 1569 and 1679 at the direction of Pope Pius V, the basilica was designed to enclose and protect the Porziuncola, the Chapel of the Transit, the Rose Garden and other sites associated with Saint Francis.
Galeazzo Alessi created the original design. After severe damage in the earthquakes of 1832, the basilica reopened for worship on September 8, 1840, following restoration directed by architect Luigi Poletti.
The façade was redesigned by Cesare Bazzani and inaugurated on June 8, 1930. A large gilded bronze statue of the Virgin Mary crowns it. For a broader Assisi itinerary, the guide to visiting the Basilica of Saint Francis covers another major church in the city.
What to see at the Porziuncola Basilica
The basilica brings several distinct places associated with Saint Francis together under one roof. Begin with the Porziuncola itself, the small church where, according to the official Visit Assisi account, Francis lived, welcomed Saint Clare and died on the night of October 3, 1226.
Its altarpiece, painted by Father Ilario da Viterbo in 1393, depicts the Annunciation and scenes of the Pardon of Assisi. The Chapel of the Transit is a small room that served as the convent infirmary and where Francis died; Giovanni di Pietro, known as Spagna, frescoed its interior.
Outside the small church, the Rose Garden is associated with the story of Francis throwing himself into thorns to overcome temptation. The Rose Chapel contains a painted depiction of the episode with the Pardon by Tiberius of Assisi.
The basilica’s architectural history and these smaller devotional spaces make it worth allowing time to move through the complex rather than focusing on the main church alone.
Porziuncola opening hours and visitor access
The basilica’s published daily hours are 7:30–12:30 and 14:30–19:00; entry for Mass is allowed from 6:30. Visit Assisi gives the same hours for winter and summer and says admission is free. Mass schedules differ between weekdays and holidays, and the listing also includes an English-language holiday Mass.
Guided tours are available by reservation, with Italian, English and Spanish listed as tour languages. An audio guide is also available. The basilica is accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities, and the Municipality of Assisi describes both the entrance and parking as wheelchair-accessible. Several car parks are near the basilica.
Opening details can change, so check the official site before you go. The basilica operator’s published hours differ from a Ministry of Culture listing that marks every day as closed; use the basilica operator’s site to confirm the current schedule.
How do you get to the Porziuncola from Bastia Umbra?
The basilica is in Santa Maria degli Angeli, near the SS 75 highway exit. If you’re coming by train, the official Visit Assisi listing says it is easily reached on foot from Assisi railway station. The Line C bus stop on Via Los Angeles is 400 meters from the basilica.
For a visit from Bastia Umbra, use the basilica’s address to plan your route, then choose a connection that fits your starting point. The basilica is about an 11-minute drive from Santa Lucia.
If you are driving, several car parks are located near the church. You can also use the Line C stop as a local reference point when planning public transport.
Combining the visit with the Porziuncola Museum
The Porziuncola Museum is inside the basilica complex, so you can add it to the same visit. Its published hours are 9:00–13:00 and 14:30–17:00, and it is closed on Wednesdays. Admission is allowed until 15 minutes before closing. For more on its collection and visitor details, see this guide to the Museo di Santa Maria degli Angeli.
The full-price ticket is €4.00. Reduced admission is €3.00 for visitors aged 11–18, university students, people over 65 and groups of more than 15; school groups pay €2.50.
Children up to age 10, religious personnel, group leaders and companions of visitors with disabilities are eligible for free admission. The museum provides a “Book a visit” option and gives +39 075 8051419 as its contact number.
FAQs
Is admission to the Porziuncola Basilica free?
Yes. The official Visit Assisi listing and the Municipality of Assisi describe entry to the basilica as free. The Porziuncola Museum inside the complex charges separate admission.
Can you visit the Porziuncola Museum on Wednesday?
No. The museum’s schedule says it is closed on Wednesdays.
Can visitors with mobility disabilities access the basilica?
Yes. The basilica is described as accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities, and the Municipality of Assisi describes the entrance and parking as wheelchair-accessible.