San Francisco Piccolino, Medieval oratory in central Assisi, Italy.
San Francisco Piccolino is a small chapel in central Assisi with stone vaulted ceilings and bare walls that preserve its original 13th-century architecture. The structure is built simply and displays the religious craftsmanship of that era without ornament.
The building was constructed in the late 1200s by Piccardo, a nephew of Saint Francis, and marks the traditional birthplace of Francis. The chapel was preserved as a shrine across centuries and reflects the reverence that Francis received in his hometown.
The name refers to Saint Francis of Assisi, whose birthplace tradition holds occurred in this location. Visitors notice the simple interior and religious quiet that invites reflection on the early origins of Franciscan faith.
The chapel is located near Chiesa Nuova and is open daily to visitors, making it easy to include when exploring central Assisi. The interior is compact and does not require much time to visit, but works well for a quiet moment during a walking tour of the city.
The interior was originally covered with frescoes from multiple centuries that were removed during a restoration in the 1920s to return the space to its medieval simplicity. This process fundamentally changed the appearance of the site and left the bare walls visible today.
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