Assisi's main drag leads from the town center
towards the Basilica,
while holds the saint's much venerated remains.
This 13th-century hospice gave pilgrims a place to rest.
And along the way, pilgrims would stop here for a drink.
The street ends at the Basilica of St. Francis.
This is one of the artistic
and religious highlights of Europe.
It rises where in 1230, St. Francis was buried.
For eight centuries,
it's been one of the most visited pilgrimage sites
in all of Christendom.
From a distance, you see the huge arches
that support the Basilica.
Above these were the quarters for the hundreds of friars
who once lived here.
The arcades that line the square approaching the church
are where medieval pilgrims were housed and fed.
The destination of so many pilgrims
is the tomb of Francis,
which lies deep beneath the basilica.
Its humble elegance befits the saint
who preached simplicity.
The saint's remains in a stone box with iron ties
are one of the most important Christian relics anywhere.
Holy relics were the ruby slippers of Medieval Europe.
To the faithful, relics had power.
They helped answer prayers, win wars, and ultimately,
they helped you get to heaven.
The Basilica rises in two levels above the tomb.
It's cohesive,
an artistic and theological work of genius.
With its fine art,
it still functions as a splendid classroom.
It was frescoed from top to bottom
by leading artists of the 13th century.
In the lower basilica, Cimabue painted
what's considered the earliest
and most accurate portrayal of St. Francis.
Below, you'll see five of Francis' closest followers
clearly, just simple folk.
The series of frescoes above the altar is by Giotto,
the most powerful storyteller of his day.
Three scenes represent the vows of the Franciscans:
obedience, chastity, and poverty.
Francis kneels in front of Lady Obedience.
Chastity is in her Tower of Purity
flanked by two angels.
And Lady Poverty is in her patched wedding dress.
Francis, about to marry her,
slips a ring on her finger
as Jesus blesses the union.
And high above is Francis on a heavenly throne.
After a life of earthly simplicity,
he enjoys glory in heaven.
In the 13th century, Giotto's art was radical,
unprecedented in its realism.
He portrayed holy people expressing emotion
as never before.
Here in this crucifixion scene,
one angel turns her head sadly at the sight of Jesus.
And another is in such anguish,
she scratches her hands down her cheeks.
Mary, until this fresco
generally portrayed in control,
has fainted in despair.
The Franciscan friars,
with their passion for bringing God to the people,
found a natural partner
in Europe's first modern painter, Giotto.
The upper basilica,
built a bit later than the lower,
is considered the first gothic church in Italy.
It's brighter, illuminated by 13th-century stained glass,
the oldest in Italy,
and covered with frescoes by Giotto and his assistants.
The nave shows 28 scenes from the life of St. Francis,
a mix of documented history and folk legend.
Here, Giotto shows a nearly naked Francis,
the rich kid tossing his fancy clothes to his father,
befuddling high society
by trading a life of luxury for one of simplicity.
But ultimately, even the Pope recognized
that Francis could restore a church and society
in great need of reform.
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In a land torn by war, Francis promoted peace.
He preached by example and made the Gospel's teaching
more accessible to common people.
Francis' message of non-materialism
challenges the wealthy and powerful to this day.
And perhaps the most endearing scene in the Basilica
shows Francis preaching to the birds.
Francis loved nature as well as humanity.
The variety of birds represents the diverse flock
of nature and humanity,
all worthy of one another's love.