Duomo di San Rufino, Assisi
View of the Duomo di San Rufino from the castle above.
West facade and piazza.
West rose window, surrounded by the Four Evangelists.
Central portal, with sculptures of eagles, the Lamb of God, and zodiacs.
Central tympanum sculpture, featuring Christ and a nursing Virgin Mary.
Campanile (bell tower).
Interior, with glass plates for viewing excavations beneath.
Font in which St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized.
The cathedral of Assisi (Assisi Cattedrale) might play second fiddle to the Basilica di San Francesco and the other main Franciscan sites in Assisi, but it's well worth a look for its beautiful Romanesque architecture.
Located in a quiet walled piazza, the Duomo di San Rufino was built in the 12th century after a miraculous vision by the local bishop. Don't worry too much about opening hours, as the inside is not nearly as interesting as the outside - except for its medieval font, which is where St. Francis and St. Claire were baptized.
History
The Duomo's piazza is believed by some historians to be the site of Assisi's Roman forum. The first church on this spot may have been built as early as the 5th century. Ever since its foundation it has been dedicated to St. Rufino, the 3rd-century bishop who brought Christianity to Assisi and was martyred here.
In 1028, Assisi's bishop witnessed a miraculous event (the details of which were not recorded) and had the old church torn down and a Romanesque one built to replace it. It was accompanied by a stout bell tower built over a Roman cistern, which still stands today.
In 1134, however, another bishop had an even greater miraculous vision, and the poor 100-year-old church was flattened to make way for the present structure, saving only the bell tower. In the more than 100 years it took to build the new church, the Romanesque styling of the lower two-thirds of the facade gave way to Gothic fashion in the top third.
The interior was remodeled in 1571 following structural damage.
What to See
The Duomo's exterior is mainly Romanesque, and features highly decorative friezes, Lombard lions and griffins at the doors, stone-spoked rose windows, and a classical dividing arcade of thin columns. The Gothic top third has a pointed blind arch set in the tympanum.
The interior is mainly notable for the font in which St. Francis, St. Clare, and Emperor Frederick II were baptized (to the right as you enter). At the altar are two canvases by Dono Doni — a Deposition on the right and Crucifixion on the left.
A door at the end of the left aisle leads to the Museo della Cattedrale, which preserves detached frescoes by Puccio Capanna, more works by Dono Doni, and triptychs by L'Alunno and Matteo da Gualdo along with a small archaeological collection.
You can enter the cathedral crypt from the door to the right of the facade; its rough vaulting and Ionic columns are, along with the bell tower, the only surviving bits of the 11th-century cathedral.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Duomo di San Rufino; Assisi Cathedral |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Location: | Piazza San Rufino, Assisi, Italy |
| Phone: | Duomo: 075-812-283 Museo: 075-812-712 or if no answer 347-874-0224 |
| Website: | www.assisimuseocattedrale.com |
| Hours: | Church, daily 7am-noon and 2pm-sunset. Crypt and Museo Capitolare, Thurs-Tues: Mar 16-Oct 15 daily 10am-1 and 3-6pm (Aug 10am-6pm); Oct 16-Mar 15 10am-1pm and 2:30-5:30pm |
| Cost: | Free admission to the church; crypt and Museo della Cattedrale, 3€ ($3.45) adults, 2.50€ ($2.90) ages 12-18 and seniors over 60 |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Duomo di San Rufino. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Assisi Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Planning Links
- Assisi Hotels - Venere
- Assisi Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Assisi Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
- Car Rentals in Italy - Auto Europe
- Italy Rail Passes and Tickets - Rail Europe
Sources
- Personal visits (April 21-25, 2008).
- Frommer's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria, 5th Edition.
More Information
- Assisi Cattedrale - official website
- Traveler Reviews of Duomo di San Rufino - TripAdvisor
