At the complex, you’ll see the tiny 13th-century Porziuncola chapel where St. Francis founded his order, the Cappella del Transito where Francis died, and the Franciscan Rose Garden, where thornless roses are said to have miraculously bloomed. The Porziuncola Museum is also a highlight—founded by Franciscan friars in 1924, the museum is home to religious art, reliquaries, and documents from the 13th to 15th centuries.
If you plan to visit the museum independently, book your ticket ahead of time to skip the entry line. Most Assisi day trips from Rome and Florence include a tour of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, along with other Franciscan sites such as Chiesa Nuova and the Basilica of Saint Francis. Full-day itineraries sometimes stop by Perugia, Orvieto, or Lake Trasimeno.