Never Stop Travelling: Santa Maria degli Angeli

Santa Maria degli Angeli Italy

Santa Maria degli Angeli is a tranquil town in Umbria, just a few kilometers below the hilltop of Assisi. Surrounded by olive groves and gentle, green hills, it feels more like a peaceful retreat than a typical tourist destination. Yet it attracts pilgrims and travelers from all over the world, drawn by its deep spiritual significance and its connection to St. Francis of Assisi. The heart of the town is the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in the 16th century to shelter one of Christianity’s most important Franciscan sites: the tiny Porziuncola chapel. According to tradition, this is where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order and where he spent much of his life in prayer. Visitors can step inside the modest stone chapel, then look up to the soaring Baroque dome that now protects it, a striking contrast between simplicity and grandeur. Behind the basilica lies the Rose Garden and the small cell where St. Francis is said to have died, now transformed into a chapel. The garden preserves the legend of the thornless roses, which are said to have sprung from a penitential act by Francis himself. This area invites quiet reflection, offering shady paths, a small museum, and frescoes that illustrate episodes from the saint’s life. Beyond its religious sites, Santa Maria degli Angeli is a convenient base for exploring the region. It has a train station with direct connections to Assisi, Perugia, and other Umbrian towns, as well as plenty of hotels, guesthouses, and family-run trattorias. Stay here if you prefer an easy, mostly flat town with good services, while keeping the medieval charm of Assisi and the Umbrian countryside just a short bus ride or scenic walk away.

Recommended airport

Perugia (PEG)

Nearby destinations

Santa Maria degli Angeli, Italy

Santa Maria degli Angeli Italy