San Damiano, Assisi

Church in Assisi

Aerial View of Chiesa di San Damiano
Aerial View of Chiesa di San Damiano
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Hagai Agmon-Snir

San Damiano sits just outside Assisi's walls, down a gentle slope through olive groves and cypresses, with open views across the Spoleto Valley. It feels deliberately removed from the bustle of the hilltop centre, and that rural calm is part of the experience: this is a place built for silence, reflection, and the kind of small daily rhythms that shaped the earliest Franciscan story.

This is also one of the rare Assisi sites where the “headline” moment and the physical setting still match. Here Francis received the call to “repair my house,” here Clare lived with her sisters in the earliest years of the Poor Clares, and here a sick, partially blind Francis composed the Canticle of the Sun. The complex is simple, human-scale, and richly evocative, with rooms and details that reward slow looking rather than rushing.

History and Significance of the Chiesa di San Damiano

San Damiano matters because it sits at the hinge-point of the Franciscan story. It is tied to Francis's conversion-era commitment to rebuild neglected sacred places, and it became a lived-in community space rather than a monument: a church, a convent, a daily routine, and a spiritual refuge that shaped how the movement felt from the inside.

It is equally central to Clare’s story. The site preserves the memory of her long years here and the traditions attached to her leadership, including the famous episode in which she is said to have confronted an attacking force with the Blessed Sacrament, a moment that has become part of Assisi’s devotional identity.

Unlike the grand basilicas, San Damiano’s significance is inseparable from its atmosphere. The setting among olive trees and wildflowers, the low buildings, and the quiet cloistered spaces preserve something distinctly Franciscan: humility, rural simplicity, and the sense that holiness is found in ordinary places, not only in grandeur.

Things to See and Do in the Chiesa di San Damiano

Begin outside and take in the landscape first. The approach and the view are not incidental; they frame San Damiano as a place of retreat. Many visitors linger at the life-sized bronze statue of Francis, seated in meditation and looking out over the valley, because it captures the site's contemplative “tempo” better than any plaque can.

Inside the church, notice how smoke-darkened and straightforward the nave feels. Look for the small, intimate details that local tradition holds onto: the window linked to Francis’s early repair efforts, and the hidden corners that keep the story anchored in physical space rather than pure legend.

Follow the signs through the complex rather than treating it as “one room and out.” The upstairs dormitory and oratory spaces are among the most affecting, including the simple marker of where Clare is said to have died. The cloister and refectory, still furnished in a spare, monastic way, provide the best sense of San Damiano as a lived environment, not a museum set.

If you have time, slow down in the vestibule and side spaces where frescoes survive. They are not presented with the polish of a major gallery, but that slightly fragile, timeworn quality is part of what makes San Damiano feel authentic and human.

How to Get to the Chiesa di San Damiano

The nearest airports are Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport (PEG), Rome Fiumicino (FCO), and Florence (FLR). For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Assisi on Booking.com.

Most travellers arrive by rail at Assisi station (in Santa Maria degli Angeli), then continue by local bus or taxi up to Assisi and onward toward Porta Nuova for the walk down to San Damiano. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.

From Assisi's historic centre, the simplest approach is on foot from Porta Nuova, following the clearly signed downhill route that takes you through olive groves to the sanctuary.

If you are driving, aim for the small car park by the complex and avoid trying to edge too close into restricted or crowded lanes in the upper town. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Chiesa di San Damiano

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: (Summer) Daily: 10:00–12:00 & 14:00–18:00. (Winter) Daily: 10:00–12:00 & 14:00–16:30. Closed 12 January – 15 January 2026.
  • Official website: http://www.santuariosandamiano.org/
  • Best time to visit: Early in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and the sanctuary feels quieter and more reflective.
  • How long to spend: 60-90 minutes for the church and rooms at an unhurried pace; longer if you like reading signage and lingering in the cloister.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven surfaces, steps, and a sloping approach; it is partially accessible but not uniformly step-free throughout.
  • Facilities: There are basic visitor services and a small bookshop feel to parts of the complex, but plan water and comfort needs in the town before you walk down.

Where to Stay Close to the Chiesa di San Damiano

For a culture-heavy Assisi itinerary, stay inside the historic centre so you can walk to key churches early and return easily after dinner; if your priority is transport convenience and day trips, base in Santa Maria degli Angeli near the station and treat the hilltop as a daily outing.

If you want a refined, central stay with quick access to Porta Nuova and the downhill walk to San Damiano, Nun Assisi Relais & Spa Museum gives you comfort without losing the old-town atmosphere. For a classic, scenic base with valley views and an easy walk into the centre, BV Grand Hotel Assisi works well for travellers who want space and calm. If you prefer a countryside-style stay that still keeps you close enough to reach San Damiano without stress, Valle di Assisi Hotel & Spa Resort suits travellers balancing quiet downtime with Assisi sightseeing.

Is the Chiesa di San Damiano Worth Visiting?

Yes. San Damiano is one of Assisi's most meaningful sites because it preserves the Franciscan story at a human scale: a place where major spiritual decisions were made in simple rooms, with daily life and landscape doing as much work as architecture.

Honest pivot: if you are extremely time-limited and only want the “big two” basilicas (San Francesco and Santa Chiara), you could skip San Damiano and still understand Assisi's headline narrative. You would miss, however, the rural, serene version of Assisi that many travellers remember most clearly.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.9 (7,450)

San Damiano, on Via San Damiano just outside Assisi, is a modest 12th-century church and cloisters traditionally associated with the moment Christ spoke to St Francis, making it one of the area's most significant Franciscan sites. It is extremely well regarded (4.9 from about 7,448 reviews), and visitors consistently describe a quiet, prayerful atmosphere, meaningful links to both St Francis and St Clare, and a small museum alongside ongoing worship. Practical notes from recent reviews include free entry, peaceful views, and that staff can be strict about closing times, with basic facilities (such as bathrooms) located near the parking area.

Randy Hamm
4 weeks ago
"The spiritual birthplace of St Francis of Assisi and I was surprised to find out it was also the spiritual home of St Clare and the poor sisters. Arich museum and active site of worship (one or two masses were going on while I was there during the jubilee). So nice to experience the simple prayerful lives of the Poor Clares. Very meaningful to contemplate Francis’ awakening and calling right where it happened. Beautiful art, ancient and modern...."
Lisa Benson
3 months ago
"An absolute “don’t miss part” of a pilgrimage or spiritual trip to Assisi. I did the walk from the Basilica to her sacred place and back to town. Mylife will never be the same...."
A Ly
5 months ago
"It’s truly a blessing to come back to San Damiano. The history of this church is so inspiring. You feel the spirit of St Francis and St Clare inhere. The presence of God is so powerful in this quiet and serene church...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

San Damiano can work very well for families if you frame it as a short, story-led visit: “the place where Francis heard a call,” “where Clare lived,” and “rooms you can actually walk through.” The walk down from Porta Nuova also helps, because children tend to engage more when the visit includes movement through olive groves rather than only indoor spaces.

Keep expectations realistic about quiet behaviour inside the church spaces, and choose one or two highlights rather than trying to absorb every detail. A good rhythm is walk down, do the church and a few rooms, then walk back up with a gelato stop in town as the reward.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, San Damiano is Assisi at its most atmospheric: gentle countryside, soft stone, and a sense of stillness that feels earned rather than staged. It is especially rewarding if you go at a quieter time, when you can hear the wind in the trees and experience the sanctuary as a retreat rather than a busy attraction.

Pair it with an unhurried evening in the historic centre. The contrast is what makes the day work: rural calm at San Damiano, then hilltop streets and dinner later, with the sense that you have seen both the spiritual and the social sides of Assisi.

Budget Travelers

San Damiano is a strong budget stop because entry is free and the experience is high-value if you are willing to walk. It is also one of the best ways to break up an Assisi day that might otherwise feel like a sequence of churches, because the setting and route add variety without adding cost.

To keep the day efficient, combine it with Santa Chiara and the historic centre on the same walking loop rather than using taxis repeatedly. The site rewards time more than money: slow down, look closely, and let the place do what it does.

FAQs for Visiting Chiesa di San Damiano

Getting There

It sits outside the city walls below the historic centre, reached most easily from Porta Nuova via a signed downhill walk. The setting is rural and quiet, with olive groves and open valley views.
Start at Porta Nuova and follow the posted signs for San Damiano downhill. The route is straightforward, but allow extra time for the return climb back into town.
Arrive at Assisi station in Santa Maria degli Angeli, then take a bus or taxi up to the historic centre and continue to Porta Nuova for the walk down. If you stay in the upper town, most hotels can also arrange a short taxi to the sanctuary.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, standard entry is free, and the site functions as a religious sanctuary rather than a ticketed museum. Donations are common and help with upkeep.
For independent visits, no booking is usually needed. If you are travelling with a group and want a guided experience, it is worth arranging ahead so timings are coordinated.
Yes, modest dress is expected, with shoulders and knees covered. Keep voices low inside, as it is an active place of prayer.

Visiting Experience

An hour is enough for the church and key rooms without rushing. If you enjoy reading context panels and lingering in the cloister, plan closer to 90 minutes.
Yes, because it offers a different register: quieter, more rural, and more intimate. It often feels like the place where the Franciscan story becomes personal rather than monumental.
Light rain can actually suit the atmosphere, but the approach paths can be slippery. If weather is heavy, consider visiting by taxi and keep the outdoor walking sections short.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Often yes, especially for visitors interested in Francis and Clare beyond the main basilicas. It fits best as a half-day loop with Santa Chiara and Porta Nuova rather than a standalone stop.
Walk down from Porta Nuova to San Damiano, tour the church and key rooms, then return to the historic centre for Santa Chiara and a café break. This keeps the day cohesive and avoids transport backtracking.

Photography

Yes, especially for exterior atmosphere, landscape views, and quiet cloister details. Indoors, be respectful and follow any posted guidance about photography during services.
Late afternoon often gives the softest light on the valley and olive groves. Early morning can be quieter, which helps if you want uncluttered frames.

Accessibility & Facilities

It is partially accessible, but the complex includes steps and uneven surfaces. If mobility is a concern, arriving by taxi and focusing on the most accessible areas is the most comfortable approach.
Basic facilities are available, but do not expect a full-service visitor centre. Plan food stops back in Assisi’s centre, where options are far better.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Return toward Porta Nuova and the historic centre, where cafés are easy to find and the atmosphere is livelier. It is a natural contrast after the sanctuary’s quiet setting.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it is a standard visitor route and generally feels calm and secure in daylight. The main consideration is the slope, so wear shoes with grip and pace yourself on the return climb.

Nearby Attractions to the Chiesa di San Damiano

  • Eremo delle Carceri: A wooded hermitage retreat on Monte Subasio that deepens the “Francis in nature” theme if you want another quiet stop.
  • Basilica di Santa Chiara: Clare's principal basilica, with a powerful interior and strong links to her story and Assisi's devotional life.
  • Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi: The essential Assisi complex for art, history, and the wider Franciscan narrative.
  • Piazza del Comune: Assisi's central square, ideal for linking churches, cafés, and the town's everyday rhythm.
  • Rocca Maggiore: The hilltop fortress with the best wide views, especially rewarding after a sanctuary visit in the lower slopes.

The San Damiano appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Assisi!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Summer) Daily: 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00.

(Winter) Daily: 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-16:30.

Closed 12 January - 15 January 2026.

Price:

Free.

Address: Via San Damiano, 7, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy
Assisi: 1 km
Telephone: +39 075 812273
Official Website

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