Italy Travel Guide, About Italy Tourism & Tourist Information

Church of St. Rufinus is a Cathedral of Assisi

Assisi, where St Francis, the saint of poverty was born is indeed a Catholic town. There are countless churches everywhere in the town. Places of interest are St. Francis Church, Santa Clare Church and St. Damian Monastery etc. And here this cathedral is also sacred place. It's a solemn cathedral of the beautiful historic town. Let's have a closer look to the St. Rufinus Cathedral.

St. Rufinus is the patron saint of Assisi!

As you know, every town or country or nation has its own patron saint. For example, the Italy's patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi. He is called the second Christ and worshiped all over the Italy. However, the patron saint of Assisi is not St. Francis but St. Rufinus, in fact.

It's said that the town of Assisi was born in around 300 BC by the Romans. Then, In 238 AD Assisi was converted to Christianity by St. Rufino, who was the first bishop of Assisi and was martyred. St. Francis was born c.a. 1181. The Duomo (Cathedral) is the most important place in the town and dedicated to St. Rufinus. Now St. Francis and his Basilica became more famous but please visit also this cathedral.

You can see the old church's ruins in the basement through the glass under your feet

This Cathedral was newly built on the old church of 11th-century in 1228. One part of the floor in the actual cathedral is glassed and you can see the underground old church under your feet.

The facade of the Cathedral is beautiful and elegant Romanesque style. It's one of the finest masterpieces in Umbria. There are rose windows and doors in the center and each side. The relieves and statues of four evangelists are modest and elegant.

There is a bell tower at the left side. This was built more than 100 years before the cathedral so you can recognize difference of stone material.

St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized here

The Cathedral has three naves. It's reconstructed in the late 16th century. On both sides of the entrance there are a statue of St. Francis and of St. Clare, who were baptized here. On the left there are also conserved clothes and a code of St. Francis.

Cathedral of St. Rufinus is simple and modest compared to the other churches. It's one of the oldest churches in Assisi, and its elegant facade is famous for the beauty.

"Palio of St. Rufinus", the traditional bow tournament.

Every year, the "Palio of St. Rufinus (Palio Di San Rufino)" is held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the last week of August. It's a traditional competition in the bow to win the Palio (pennant). The town is divided into three districts: St. Francis, St. Rufinus and Dive Marie. The representatives of each district compete for the title of the Palio and of the best archer. It would be nice to visit the town of Assisi for this festival.

Advice from who lives in Italy

The square in front of the Cathedral of St. Rufinus is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The small square with rose windows of the Cathedral's facade is very pretty. Please take a photo of the medieval square.

from AMOITALY