San Damiano
San Damiano
5
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The church of San Damiano was restored by St. Frances of Assisi and later served as home for St. Clare.
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contemplative writer
York, ME53 contributions
Jun 2023
Peace radiates from this wellspring of contemplation and creativity. It was falling apart when young Francis first fell in love with it in his mid-20s, and it was here that he sensed God's invitation to him to live a gospel life of radical simplicity. He rebuilt the original church with his own hands, never thinking that he would found a movement that quietly changed the shape of Christianity and impacted people from all walks of life. But the centrality of San Damiano to the Franciscan way was sealed in 1211, shortly after Francis' way of life received approval from Pope Innocent III and young Clare joined the movement. Clare lived the entirety of her religious life at San Damiano, developing a way of prayer that she shared with a growing community of women (called "Poor Ladies") who began convents throughout Italy and beyond.
Toward the end of his life, after receiving the stigmata at La Verna, Francis returned to San Damiano for care and sustenance, and it was here that he wrote the "Canticle of Creation" shortly before he died. A small museum celebrates this hymn of praise and gratitude for the many gifts of creation. Outside, a bronze statue of Francis seated overlooking the valley below, describes the night he wrote the poem, which inspired Pope Francis' encyclical On Care for Our Common Home.
It is hard to understand Francis and Clare without visiting this beautiful space a 1-km. walk from the old city center, where the spirit of these great saints is still palpable.
Toward the end of his life, after receiving the stigmata at La Verna, Francis returned to San Damiano for care and sustenance, and it was here that he wrote the "Canticle of Creation" shortly before he died. A small museum celebrates this hymn of praise and gratitude for the many gifts of creation. Outside, a bronze statue of Francis seated overlooking the valley below, describes the night he wrote the poem, which inspired Pope Francis' encyclical On Care for Our Common Home.
It is hard to understand Francis and Clare without visiting this beautiful space a 1-km. walk from the old city center, where the spirit of these great saints is still palpable.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gdonnabky
Charleston, WV40 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
This is where St. Francis of Assisi followed the call he heard to "rebuild my church". Down the hill from Assisi, among small villas and olive groves, this small church was the beginning of his ministry, and became the convent of the Poor Clares,begun by one of his most ardent followers, St. Clare of Assisi. According to legend, it was in great disrepair, and Francis took it upon himself to begin his new life by literally begging for stones to rebuild this little church. St. Clare and her sisters lived and prayed there, and the room in which she died after a long illness is very poignant in its beautiful simplicity.
Written 29 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMSantarossa
Toronto, Canada95 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
San Damiano is just down the road from the town of Assisi. You can walk if you wish although many take a taxi to it and the Carceri, St. francis's hermitage. It is just beautiful. Surrounded by vineyards andolive trees, it is still an operating Francican convent for men. Originally, it was built on the first little church that Franics restored and was the first convent of St. Clare and the first Franciscan nuns. St. Clare lived and died there. Too much to say but the cloister is beautiful and the room where St. Clare died always has a fresh vase of flowers on the spot where she died. It's beautiful.
Written 16 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler
Virginia35 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
This is such a treasure of a place. It is stunning... the walk down to the convent is gorgeous, lined with olive trees. St Clare's footsteps can be found all around this place, and especially where she was when she passed away. The courtyard in the center is so beautiful, full of flowers. The crucifix in St Clares sleeping room I believe is very special. A wonderful place to visit!!
Written 3 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IslandMB
Rochester Hills, MI218 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
San Damiano is the small country oratory where St Francis heard his calling from Christ to 'rebuild My church' as he was praying in the worn down church. While he took this literally at the time, he ultimately would help rebuild the Catholic Church. It is also where St Clare and her 'poor ladies' lived in a monastic setting with Clare spending most her adult life there, dying in 1253.
This is an important pilgrimage sight due to its impact on the lives of Francis & Clare. It is located just below Assisi in the beautiful Umbrian countryside. Things to see include: the ancient & simple chapel, frescos of Francis & Agnes, the dormitory where Clare died, the choir & stalls along with the refractory (dining area) and cloisters.
The original 'San Damiano Cross' is now located in the Basilica di Santa Chiara (in Assisi) with an old copy now in the chapel here.
Overall, this is another 'must see' in Assisi if you are interested in the lives of St Francis & St Clare. It is a in a very simple, peaceful & beautiful location, and gets a bit more of pilgrims versus large crowds as in Assisi.
This is an important pilgrimage sight due to its impact on the lives of Francis & Clare. It is located just below Assisi in the beautiful Umbrian countryside. Things to see include: the ancient & simple chapel, frescos of Francis & Agnes, the dormitory where Clare died, the choir & stalls along with the refractory (dining area) and cloisters.
The original 'San Damiano Cross' is now located in the Basilica di Santa Chiara (in Assisi) with an old copy now in the chapel here.
Overall, this is another 'must see' in Assisi if you are interested in the lives of St Francis & St Clare. It is a in a very simple, peaceful & beautiful location, and gets a bit more of pilgrims versus large crowds as in Assisi.
Written 8 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niobe B
Chamonix, France513 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
Just outside of the town of Assisi San Damiano is where St Francis of Assisi spent most of his time. Although modest in comparison to the Basilica, it reflects more of what St Francis was truly about and you can sense it here. Some beautiful bronze statues on the outside grounds and don't miss the bronze statue of St Francis facing east and meditating as you walk into the grounds.
Written 31 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
805teacher
Wilmington, DE228 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
This is a very specail place, and the cross of San Damiano....where St. Francis received his spiritual direction...is very moving. The close ties to St. Claire of Assisi are evident everywhere. It is essential to visit here....to gain the full inspiration of Assisi.
Written 19 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malou674
Saskatoon, Canada79 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
Here in this place, I visited the convent of Poor Clare and wandered in the hills of San Damiano . I was moved to sing the Prayer of St. Francis softly , almost in a whisper so,as not to break the silence of the place , all of a sudden, a mana I. A strange clothing, almost a 12th century image came to the cross, looked up and looked at me moth if "grazie" I struck my breast in acknowledgement and quite afraid that he might scold me for breaking the silence rule of the place . I looked around and found so many people all transfixed with smiles, I felt I was alone but then, I had so many people around me...was this possible that I saw an apparition of St. Francis ? I know in my heart of heart that I was filled with unexplained joy... Be there and find for yourself what it was to be in communion with God in this beautiful and peaceful place.
Written 7 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belinda R
Morecambe, UK1,218 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We walked down through the olive groves to reach this church, retracing the steps of the saints. This is the spot where St Francis heard the command "Rebuild my Church" - an order which he took literally. It is also the place where the Lady Clare and her Poor Ladies were established in their enclosed order.
So much remains from this period that one feels as if they are still there.
Before one enters San Damiano there is another treat - a recently made statue of St Francis, sitting under an olive tree and looking out over the valley below, seated cross-legged like Buddha. It is one of a series of wonderful lifelike statues (there is another of St Francis standing in the woods above Le Carceri, with sparrows on his shoulder).
The walk uphill afterwards is quite challenging. I am not very athletic and was glad to be assisted by a group of chatty Italian ladies who linked arms with me, though my husband and the English-speaker in their group strode onward and upward miles ahead of us!
There is a road and a car park near the site which would be advisable for the unfit or elderly.
So much remains from this period that one feels as if they are still there.
Before one enters San Damiano there is another treat - a recently made statue of St Francis, sitting under an olive tree and looking out over the valley below, seated cross-legged like Buddha. It is one of a series of wonderful lifelike statues (there is another of St Francis standing in the woods above Le Carceri, with sparrows on his shoulder).
The walk uphill afterwards is quite challenging. I am not very athletic and was glad to be assisted by a group of chatty Italian ladies who linked arms with me, though my husband and the English-speaker in their group strode onward and upward miles ahead of us!
There is a road and a car park near the site which would be advisable for the unfit or elderly.
Written 25 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda D
Cheshire, UK118 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Where the story of St Francis began. The church is slightly out of Assisi and might be missed by some who decide not to make the journey - we were almost down that route, but thankfully we did make the journey, and I'm so pleased we did. Everyone respected the silence of the church. There was a peaceful feeling as we walked around San Damiano. The church is where St Clare died. The monks at the church are friendly and happy to inform you of the history of the church, that St Francis built. Not to be missed.
Written 7 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone tell me what time you should go to attend Vespers or Sunday Mass? Thanks!
Written 2 April 2018
Como posso fazer para chegar a pé, da basílica de São Francisco até San Damiano?
É permitido andar a pé pela estrada?
Written 13 September 2016
Yes, you can walk from the church to San Damiano easily. That is allowed. It is not very far. It is even better to go on foot than by car, because there is not so much parking space at San Damiano.
Written 11 February 2017
Can a person book their own marriage at San domiano
Written 10 November 2015
Hope D
Jamestown, Rhode Island
to visit, is it necessary to be ona guided tour?? If so what are the days and hours?
Written 24 September 2015
Free, donations welcome.
Just put location into sat Nav and turn up
Opening hours through Google.
Opens around 10 generally.
I went solo and there is multi language guides printed as you enter.
Written 25 April 2018
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