Church of San Damiano

Fun Facts

• • A wooden crucifix crafted by Innocenzo da Petralia in 1637 remains a significant artistic treasure within a side chapel of the church.
• • Saint Clare passed away within the walls of this convent in 1253, making the site a deeply emotional pilgrimage point for her followers.
• • Saint Clare reportedly saved the monastery from destruction by holding the Blessed Sacrament aloft, forcing Saracen soldiers to flee the cloister.
• • The Canticle of the Creatures, penned by Saint Francis here, is celebrated as the first major work of literature written in the Umbrian dialect of Italian.
• • The architecture follows the simple and austere style favored by the early order, contrasting sharply with the grander basilicas found elsewhere in Assisi.
• • The church and convent were largely derelict when Saint Francis first arrived, which inspired his initial mission to physically repair dilapidated chapels in the region.
• • The cloister retains an incredibly peaceful atmosphere that allows modern visitors to experience the same silence that the early Franciscans cherished.
• • The convent gardens offer spectacular views of the Umbrian valley, serving as a reminder of the natural world that Saint Francis praised in his writings.
• • The crucifix that originally spoke to Saint Francis is a Byzantine style icon, currently housed in the Basilica of Santa Chiara to ensure its preservation.
• • The organ installed in the church was built by the renowned Tamburini firm in 1957, demonstrating that the site remains a functioning space for contemporary liturgy.
• • The site functioned as the first convent for Saint Clare and her followers, who lived in strict poverty and seclusion for nearly five decades.
• • Vincenzo Giorgetti decorated the interior with frescoes in 1591, which include depictions of the life of Saint Clare and other religious themes.