Clare, St. Francis' partner in poverty, founded the Order of the Poor Clares. Catholicism's purest example of simplicity is now glorified in Assisi's beautiful churches. In 1939 Italy made Francis and Clare its patron saints. Francis' message of love and sensitivity to the environment has a broad and timeless appeal. But any pilgrimage site will be commercialized, and the legacy of St. Francis is Assisi's industry.
Most visitors are day-trippers.
Assisi after dark is closer to a place Francis could call home. A Walk Through Assisi Assisi, crowned by a ruined castle, is well-preserved and rich in history. There's much more to the town than what all the blitz tour groups see. Then wade through the medieval history until you hit the basilica. As you walk into town, you'll see that medieval Assisi survives in its architecture.