Basilica of St. Francis - Assisi, Italy - Philatelic Photographs on Waymarking.com

The Umbrian hill town of Assisi in central Italy dates back to Roman antiquity. But today it’s mostly known as the birthplace and home of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, and the thirteenth-century basilica built in his honor which can be seen for miles around. St. Francis’ efforts toward peace, vows of poverty and love of the flora and fauna have made him one of the most beloved figures in Catholicism. The basilica, which contains his final resting place, is a popular pilgrimage destination.

The basilica, which was consecrated in 1253, is actually two churches built one on top of the other, both replete with frescoes painted by some of the most important artists of that time such as Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti. The upper basilica contains a 28-panel fresco cycle of the life of St. Francis attributed to Giotto as well as panels depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. In the lower basilica, there are also scenes from the life of St. Francis and others such as St. Clare (also from Assisi) and St. Catherine of Alexandria as well as those of important biblical accounts. Below the lower church is the crypt which contains, among other things, the tomb of St. Francis.

In the year 2000, this basilica, along with several other Franciscan and historical sites in Assisi were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides the Basilica of St. Francis, the site includes the Basilica Santa Chiara and the Renaissance fort of Rocca Maggiore within the town’s walls, and the Carceri Hermitage, the Saint Damian and Rivotorto sanctuaries and the Santa Maria degli Angeli Basilica which lie outside the boundaries of the town.

The stamp was one of a set of four issued in 2013 by the Republic of San Marino celebrating UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy (they would issue four more in 2014). It shows the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and even includes the UNESCO dossier number: 990.

Stamp Issuing Country: San Marino Date of Issue: 9-Oct-2013 Denomination: €1,40 Color: multicolored Stamp Type: Single Stamp Relevant Web Site: Not listed

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