In the spiritual landscape of Assisi, while St. Francis’s presence defines the city, the Basilica of St. Clare (Santa Chiara) stands as a testament to another figure who shaped Christianity’s path in medieval Italy. With its elegant flying columns, this pink-and-white striped Gothic sanctuary holds stories as meaningful as its counterpart across town. At Inside Europe, we encourage our travelers to venture beyond the major tourist sights for a full(er) immersion into the destinations they are visiting.
Santa Chiara is a Must-Visit in Assisi
Perched on the eastern edge of Assisi’s historic center, St. Clare’s Basilica commands sweeping views over the Umbrian valley below. Its position at Piazza Santa Chiara creates a natural counterbalance to St. Francis’s Basilica at the opposite end of town. This strategic placement is no accident – medieval urban planners designed Assisi’s layout so these two spiritual powerhouses would anchor the city. Visitors approaching from the main Piazza del Comune will find St. Clare’s by following Via San Gabriele dell’Addolorata downhill, where the basilica’s distinctive rose window serves as a beacon. The church’s eastern orientation means morning light illuminates its facade, making early visits particularly memorable.
The Noble Rebel Who Changed History
Born Chiara Offreduccio to Assisi’s nobility in 1193, Clare rejected her privileged life at age 18, trading silk gowns for a rough habit after being moved by Francis’s embrace of poverty. On Palm Sunday of 1212, she left her family palace under cover of darkness – a decision that surprised Assisi’s social circles. Francis received her at the Porziuncola chapel, cut her golden hair, and thus began a spiritual movement that would establish the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares.
A Sacred Sanctuary Takes Shape
The basilica we see today rose between 1257 and 1265, just four years after Clare’s death. Its Italian Gothic architecture features a single nave lit by rose windows, creating an atmosphere that reflects Clare’s teachings. The church’s eastern end terminates in a polygonal apse adorned with frescoes by the medieval master Giotto’s followers.
The Crucifix That Spoke to Francis
Among the basilica’s treasures is the 12th-century San Damiano Cross, now housed in the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. This Byzantine-style crucifix famously spoke to Francis, commanding him to “rebuild my church.” The cross’s presence here rather than at San Damiano links Francis and Clare’s spiritual journeys.
The Silent Testimony of a Saint
In the crypt, Clare’s untouched body lies in a glass case, discovered intact in 1850, nearly six centuries after her death. Unlike many sacred relics, visitors can see Clare exactly as she was – a small figure barely five feet tall, her face still bearing the serenity that marked her life of contemplation.
A Legacy of Female Empowerment
What makes St. Clare’s notable is its representation of medieval female agency. Clare wasn’t merely Francis’s follower – she developed her own theological perspectives and worked persistently with the Vatican to maintain her order’s commitment to absolute poverty, eventually winning papal approval for her rule just days before her death in 1253. This makes the basilica not just a religious site, but a monument to female spiritual leadership in an era when women’s voices were rarely heard.
Present-Day Power
Today, the basilica remains a living spiritual center. The adjacent monastery still houses Poor Clare nuns, maintaining a tradition of contemplative life spanning eight centuries. Their presence adds an authentic spiritual dimension that visitors can feel, particularly during evening vespers when their voices float through the church.
For modern visitors, St. Clare’s offers a different experience from the Basilica of St. Francis. While Francis’s shrine impresses with its artistic splendor, Clare’s sanctuary invites quiet contemplation. The very stones seem to echo tales of rebellion against worldly excess and the power of spiritual conviction.
Whether viewed through a historical, architectural, or spiritual lens, St. Clare’s Basilica stands as an essential counterpoint to Francis’s story. It reminds us that Assisi’s spiritual revolution was not a solo act but a harmony of voices, with Clare’s notes rising clear through the centuries.