Casa natale di San Francesco

Historic Site in Assisi

This is believed to be the original site of the birth of Saint Francis of Assisi on July 5, 1182. Legend holds that his birthplace was once a stable, housing oxen and donkeys, where his mother sought refuge to give birth. The inscription above the pointed arch entry bears witness to this history, with the property being transformed into an oratory and first documented in 1286.

The façade features a dominant Romanesque arch, adorned with a Gothic entry portal. Upon entering this place of worship, one immediately notices its humble, minimalist interior, especially after visiting the larger churches bustling with tourists: simple benches line the walls, with traces of 13th-14th century frescoes adorning the raised altar.

Outside, in a charming and intimate square, stands a modern bronze sculpture depicting Francesco’s parents: his father, Pietro di Bernardone dei Moriconi, and his French mother, Pica de Bourlemont. Overlooking the square is the imposing 17th-century Chiesa Nuova (New Church) with a grand Renaissance-style façade. Erected in 1615 on the presumed site of Saint Francis’s paternal home.

Within the church, near the first pillar on the left, visitors can observe the room where Francesco’s father, a prosperous silk merchant, allegedly chained his young rebellious son in an attempt to dissuade him from a life of penitence and devotion to the poor, hoping to steer him back to the family trade. Ultimately, Francesco was released by his mother, who understood her son’s calling to higher values.

The Casa natale di San Francesco appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Assisi!

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