Santa  Maria  degli  Angeli​

Latest page update: 21 May 2025
By: Dion Protani

Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Santa Maria degli Angeli
Santa Maria degli Angeli offers a wide range of established hotels catering to pilgrims and visitors to nearby Assisi. Accommodation here is generally well reviewed for comfort, service and convenient access to the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels.
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Hotel Dal Moro Gallery is a leading choice opposite the basilica, combining modern design with excellent facilities, including a restaurant, rooftop terrace and pool, earning consistently strong reviews (€€€). Hotel Cenacolo offers spacious rooms in a restored historic building, featuring a restaurant and positive guest feedback for its calm setting and professional service (€€). For a comfortable and centrally located option, Hotel Frate Sole provides well-equipped rooms, on-site dining and good ratings for hospitality and value (€€).

Where is

Where is Santa Maria degli Angeli?
​​The village of Santa Maria degli Angeli is situated within the Province of Perugia and is part of the Comune of Assisi. It stands at an elevation of 218 metres above sea level.

Places of interest nearby include the towns of Bastia Umbra, Spello, Foligno, Bettona, Deruta and Perugia, while the recommended accommodation is the Hotel Il Palazzo in Assisi.
Santa Maria degli Angeli - frazione di Assisi
Comune: Assisi

Province: Perugia

Region: Umbria

Elevation: 218 metres​

​Close by: Bastia Umbra, Spello, Foligno, Bettona, Deruta, Perugia​
​UNESCO World Heritage Site

Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites

​Year: 2000

What People Ask About Santa Maria degli Angeli, Umbria

Is Santa Maria degli Angeli worth visiting?
Yes, Santa Maria degli Angeli is worth visiting for its monumental basilica, which houses the small Porziuncola chapel where Saint Francis founded the Franciscan movement. It attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
How do I get to Santa Maria degli Angeli?
Santa Maria degli Angeli is located at the foot of Assisi and is served by the Assisi railway station, which is within the town itself. It is also easily reached by car via the SS75 between Perugia and Foligno.
What are the main attractions in Santa Maria degli Angeli?
The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli is the main attraction, housing the Porziuncola and the Cappella del Transito where Saint Francis died. The basilica complex also contains the Franciscan Rose Garden and museum.
What is the history of Santa Maria degli Angeli?
The town developed around the Porziuncola chapel, central to the Franciscan order. The grand basilica was built in the 16th century to protect the chapel and has since become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity.
Is Santa Maria degli Angeli part of Assisi?
Yes, Santa Maria degli Angeli is a frazione of Assisi. It lies about 4 kilometres below the historic hilltop town and is closely linked to Assisi’s religious identity and Franciscan heritage.
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Discover

Discover Santa Maria degli Angeli
Lying on the plain below Assisi, Santa Maria degli Angeli is a modern town in the Umbria region, built around one of Italy’s most important religious sites. The settlement spreads across the fertile Valle Umbra, surrounded by farmland and framed by the slopes of Mount Subasio. Its wide streets and open spaces contrast with the medieval layout of Assisi above, while its location on the main road and railway line gives it a central role in the region’s transport network.
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At the heart of the town stands the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which shelters the Porziuncola, the small chapel where Saint Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13th century. The basilica is one of the largest churches in Italy and an important pilgrimage destination. Nearby, the Rose Garden and Convento dei Frati Minori continue to preserve Franciscan traditions. With frequent connections to Perugia, Foligno, and Spoleto, Santa Maria degli Angeli serves as both a spiritual centre and a convenient base for visiting Assisi and the surrounding Umbrian valley.

Things to Do

Things to Do in Santa Maria degli Angeli
  • Centro Storico di Santa Maria degli Angeli lies on the plain below Assisi, its streets laid out around sacred sites and graceful squares. The town blends modern life with deep religious significance, evident in elegant arcades, spacious piazzas, and stone buildings that echo centuries of devotion. Narrow streets open onto views of the Umbrian valley and the slopes of Monte Subasio. Walking through Santa Maria degli Angeli offers an experience rooted in spirituality and quiet beauty.
  • Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli stands as the town’s monumental heart, its vast dome and grand façade visible from miles around. Inside, visitors discover richly decorated chapels, gilded altars, and the small Porziuncola chapel, revered as the cradle of the Franciscan order. The basilica attracts pilgrims from across the world. It remains one of Christianity’s most significant sanctuaries and a powerful symbol of faith.
  • Porziuncola lies within the basilica, a tiny stone chapel where Saint Francis founded his community and received profound spiritual experiences. Though modest in size, its walls hold centuries of devotion and history. Pilgrims come to pray in silence or to admire its delicate frescoes. The Porziuncola stands as the sacred heart of Franciscan spirituality and the soul of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
  • Piazza Garibaldi serves as the social and cultural heart of the town, surrounded by cafés, shops, and views of the grand basilica. The square hosts religious festivals, markets, and moments of daily life that blend sacred tradition with modern community spirit. Cobblestone paving and the presence of pilgrims from around the world add to its unique atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to pause and reflect on the gentle rhythm of life here.
  • Guided spiritual and historical tours in Santa Maria degli Angeli lead visitors through the basilica, the Porziuncola, and Franciscan sites, offering deep insights into the life of Saint Francis and the town’s pivotal role in religious history. Local guides share stories of miracles, monastic traditions, and architectural wonders. Tours often include tastings of Umbrian specialities such as olive oil, regional wines, and traditional pastries. Exploring with a guide unveils Santa Maria degli Angeli’s unique blend of profound spirituality, historical significance, and gentle Umbrian charm.

Tours and Activities

Santa Maria degli Angeli Tours and Activities

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Umbria Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Umbria
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1. Assisi
2. Spoleto
3. Gubbio
4. Perugia
5. Orvieto
6. Lake Trasimeno
7. Castelluccio
8. Marmore Waterfalls
9. Trevi
10. Todi

​👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Umbria

How to Get to [Place Name]

How to Get to Santa Maria degli Angeli
By Rail: Santa Maria degli Angeli has its own train station on the Rome–Ancona line, operated by Trenitalia. Regular regional trains connect the town to Perugia in about 20 minutes, Assisi in roughly 5 minutes, Foligno in around 15 minutes, and Rome in approximately 2 hours. The station is centrally located, within walking distance of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the main amenities.

By Road: Santa Maria degli Angeli is located in the province of Perugia, a few kilometres south of Assisi. From Perugia, the drive is about 25 kilometres and takes roughly 25 minutes via the SS75. From Foligno, it is approximately 20 kilometres and takes around 20 minutes. There are several public car parks near the basilica and the train station.

Nearest International Airports:
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  • Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport: Approximately 12 kilometres from Santa Maria degli Angeli, with a driving time of around 15 minutes via the SS75. It is the closest airport, offering domestic and European routes.
  • Ancona Falconara Airport: Located about 125 kilometres northeast, taking roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes by car via the SS76. A suitable option for visitors arriving from northern Italy.
  • Rome Ciampino Airport: Around 180 kilometres southwest, with a journey time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes via the A1 motorway. Convenient for international arrivals.

Private Transfers

Santa Maria degli Angeli Private Transfers
A private transfer offers a straightforward and comfortable way to reach Santa Maria degli Angeli or continue your journey from the town to other parts of Umbria and beyond. You’ll be collected directly from your accommodation or chosen location and driven by a professional local driver, allowing you to travel at your own pace without the need for public transport connections.

Private transfers can be arranged to and from Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport, which provides the most convenient access for both arrivals and departures. The drive from the airport to Santa Maria degli Angeli takes around 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Transfers can also be organised to Assisi, Spello, Foligno, and Perugia, or to nearby towns such as Todi and Gubbio.
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