Basilica of Santa Chiara

The Basilica of Santa Chiara is a church in Gothic style in Assisi, located in the homonymous square, in the southern part of the historical center of the town.

The church is dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi, founder of the Order of Poor Clares, known today as the Order of Saint Clare.

SHORT HISTORY

The church was built after the death of Saint Clare, between 1257 and 1265, around the ancient Church of San Giorgio, which kept the remains of Saint Francis until 1230.

The construction works were carried out by the architect Filippo da Campello.

The remains of Saint Clare were transferred in 1260 to the new basilica, while the solemn consecration of the church took place in 1265, in the presence of Pope Clement IV.

The crypt that now houses the tomb of the saint was built only in 1850.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The architectural style of the church is Gothic, and closely resembles the almost contemporary Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The exterior of the church is characterized by three large polygonal buttresses, which reinforce the left side of the structure.

The facade is made of rows of white and pink stone. The portal is round-arched, with an arch around the lunette, which is supported by two resting lions. The lunette features a deteriorated fresco by Giacomo Giorgetti.

Above, the rose window has a double row of small columns and arches. The facade ends with a tympanum, with an oculus in the center.

The church has a Latin cross plan with a single nave, a transept and a polygonal apse. The arches of the vaults rest on pillars.

In the nave, there is the Chapel of Sant’Agnese, the sister of Santa Chiara. The chapel is decorated with frescoes by Girolamo Marinelli and Sigismondo Spagnoli.

The main altar is surrounded by a series of 12 polygonal columns with Gothic capitals, and is partially closed by a wrought iron gate.

The crypt was built between 1850 and 1872 and decorated in neo-Gothic style in 1935. Here, we can find the urn with the remains of Saint Clare.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Basilica of Saint Clare is located about 3.4 kilometers away from the Assisi railway station. The closest bus stop is right in front of the church, in Piazza Santa Chiara, on the bus Line A.