Assisi - Basilica di Santa Chiara

Assisi is located on a steep slope (accessible via escalators) and a site of many a pilgrimage. Even in winter it can be very crowded - and a day before, we had to turn back, as all parking lots in the valley below were full. A day later, in heavy rain, we tried it again - and were in luck.

Seen here is the façade of the "Basilica di Santa Chiara". Santa Chiara (= "Saint Clare") was a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the "Order of Poor Ladies", known today as the "Order of Saint Clare" (aka "Poor Clares").

The construction of the early-Gothic church began in 1257, just 3 years after her death and 2 years after her canonization. Clare's remains were transferred to the basilica and buried under the altar. The coffin was found there in 1850. In 1872, the bones were transferred to a shrine in the neo-Gothic crypt, that had been erected here to receive them.