Assisi - Cattedrale di San Rufino

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.

This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century.

The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253.

Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193.

The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria.

On the right edge of the facade waits a huge lioness. The frieze below repeats the icons of the side portals. There are again birds - and lions - drinking from a chalice.