Bosco di San Francesco: the other half of Assisi few visitors ever see
Everyone comes to Assisi for the Basilica. Few know that just below it lies an unspoiled stretch of Umbrian landscape that’s every bit as worth your time as Giotto’s frescoed walls.
Bosco di San Francesco is a 64-hectare nature reserve managed by the FAI — Italy’s National Trust — restored in 2008 from what was, remarkably, a rubbish dump. Today it’s one of the quietest and most surprising places in the entire region.
What you’ll find in the forest
The main trail descends from the Upper Basilica along the Tescio stream, winding through olive groves, clearings and woodland of hornbeam, maple and oak. But nature isn’t the only story here.
Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Terzo Paradiso catches most visitors off guard: 121 olive trees arranged into three tangent circles, a symbol of balance between nature and human intervention. A land art installation that converses with the landscape rather than interrupting it.
Midway through the walk you’ll come across the ruins of a 13th-century Benedictine monastery and the small Romanesque church of Santa Croce, both built in local pink stone. A little further on, an ancient mill has been converted into the Osteria del Mulino — a perfect stop for truffle pasta or a tasting of local Umbrian wines.
Rounding out the picture: the remains of a medieval hospital and a 14th-century tower, traces of a lesser-known Assisi that’s no less compelling for being overlooked.
Why it’s worth a half-day of your time
The forest is the perfect antidote to the crowds in the upper town. Early in the morning or in late afternoon, when the light falls sideways through the olive trees, the quiet is almost complete. It’s the right place to slow down, walk without purpose, and understand why Francis chose these hills to retreat to.
The FAI also runs guided walks, stargazing evenings and themed picnics — check their events calendar before you visit.
Practical information
- Address: Piazza della Basilica Superiore di San Francesco, Assisi
- Phone: +39 075 813157
- Email: faiboscoassisi@fondoambiente.it
- Tickets: available online at ticket.fondoambiente.it
Where to stay in Assisi
If you want to catch the forest at dawn — when it’s at its best — the simplest answer is to sleep nearby. Our Assisi apartments are in the historic centre, a short walk from the Basilica and the entrance to the Bosco di San Francesco.
Check availability and book directly at deluxeapartments.it/assisi.
