9Assisi

The patron saint of animals, Saint Francis of Assisi, was born here in the 12th century. While visiting, stop by St. Francis Way, a walkable trail of churches, including the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis. Though it was struck by two earthquakes, the church, which is actually two separate churches in one, survived.  

The upper portion boasts an Italian Gothic style and the lower is darker, with vaulted ceilings. Both levels are adorned with frescoes by prominent late-medieval painters, like Pietro Lorenzetti. In fact, its art and architecture is so exquisite that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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