BASILICA OF SANTA CHIARA, History

Hi, my name’s Scott, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: the Basilica of Santa Chiara.

It is dedicated to Saint Clare, the first female follower of Saint Francis. Born into a rich and noble family, Clare was present when Francis publicly renounced all his worldly goods. She was just 12 years old, but this was a life-changing event for her. At the age of 19, she severed ties with her parents, who were against her ideas, and ran away from home, finding Francis at the chapel of Porziuncola, not far from Assisi, where the saint was living. She had clear ideas: her intention was to create a community of radically poor women who would support themselves with their work, and would gather in prayer for themselves and for others, at the service of the whole community. Francis welcomed her, and a few years later Chare traveled to meet the Pope in Rome to obtain his approval for the rules of what is today known as the Order of Saint Clare, paving the way for the emancipation of women.

The Basilica has a very simple facade, divided into three parts by two horizontal cornices; in the center is a magnificent rose window embellished with a lace-like decoration. The only adornment is the arch that frames the door, resting on two corbels in the shape of lions; the rest of the facade is plain. But would you describe it as poor? Or would you say that the alternating white and pink stone gives the church a gently elegant, almost feminine allure?  ...