SANTA MARIA DEGLI ANGELI IN PORZIUNCOLA, Santa Maria Degli Angeli In Porziuncola

Hi, my name’s Rick, 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 Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola.

It’s said that while Francis was praying in front of the Crucifix of San Damiano, he heard the Saint asking him to repair his Church. Thinking the reference was to the little church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which had fallen into ruins, Francis rebuilt it, and the little church, also known as Porziuncola, became the heart of Franciscan spirituality. Francis lived in this modest building, and it is where he gathered the first of the brethren who wanted to live the same, simple life as him, as well as Saint Clare, who founded the Order of the Poor Clares.

You may be wondering what the enormous building in front of you has to do with a modest little church, and you will have guessed that it can’t be the one I’ve been talking about. You’re right: this imposing church was built in the 16th century by the architect from Perugia, Galeazzo Alessi, to house not only the church, but also the whole Franciscan convent....