Cathedral of San Rufino

Welcome to the Cattedrale di San Rufino, a place that embodies the very essence of Assisi’s spiritual and historical layered identity. While many travelers flock to the great Basilica of San Francesco, it is here, at the Duomo,…

As you stand directly before the facade, take a moment to analyze its geometric perfection. The design is divided into three horizontal tiers, a deliberate reference to the Holy Trinity. …

Your attention is inevitably drawn to the three magnificent rose windows that puncture the facade. These 'eyes' of the cathedral allow divine light to penetrate the interior while serving as complex symbolic icons on the exterior. …

Step inside, and you may be surprised by the change in atmosphere. While the exterior is a celebration of the Romanesque, the interior was largely transformed in 1571 by the architect Galeazzo Alessi of Perugia. …

To the side of the cathedral stands the imposing Campanile, or bell tower. This structure mostly dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries and is one of the few parts of the earlier churches that still stands today. …

Let us return briefly to the exterior to examine the two side portals, which carry their own unique iconographic programs. On the left entrance, you will see lions drinking from a vase. …

Descending into the crypt of San Rufino is like stepping back into the 11th century. This space belonged to the previous basilica built by Bishop Ugone in 1036. …

As you leave the Cathedral of San Rufino and step back into the bright light of the piazza, take a final look at those lions guarding the entrance. They have been worn smooth by the hands of centuries of Assisi’s children, who,…