Walk the Way of St Francis into Assisi for the Transitus
The most rewarding way to arrive for the Feast of St Francis in 2026 is on foot. The Via di Francesco runs roughly 500 km from La Verna, where Francis received the stigmata in 1224, through Assisi and on to Rome, ending at St Peter's Basilica. The southern leg, Assisi to Rome, covers about 300 km through the Spoleto and Rieti valleys; the northern route from La Verna to Assisi is around 190 km through the Apennines and Upper Tiber Valley, passing Sansepolcro and Gubbio. Walk at least the final 100 km and you can receive a certificate of completion, much like the Camino's Compostela.
Time your walking for April to June or September to October. Arriving in Assisi by early October 2026 is singled out as especially meaningful, since the town will be marking 800 years since Francis died at the Portiuncula on the evening of 3 October 1226 — an occasion Franciscans call the Transitus, not death.
Join the Transitus Ceremony and the Year of Franciscan Devotion
The focal point of the anniversary is 3 October, when a solemn Transitus Ceremony is held at the Basilica of Saint Francis and the Portiuncula. Expect grand liturgical commemoration, and be prepared for extreme crowding — this is anticipated to be the largest Franciscan celebration in living memory. A papal visit to Assisi is widely expected but has not been confirmed, so treat any such plans as unconfirmed until the Basilica and the Franciscan Order publish official updates.
Beyond the single day, an extended schedule of Masses, prayer vigils and devotions runs throughout the year at Assisi's major Franciscan churches. Large gatherings of Franciscan communities from around the world — the Order of Friars Minor, the Poor Clares and Third Order Franciscans — are expected to converge on the town.
- Extended visiting hours are expected at the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Portiuncula and San Damiano.
- Cultural programming includes Franciscan art exhibitions, with the Giotto frescoes shown in context, sacred music concerts and academic conferences on Franciscan spirituality.
- Details are subject to change; official updates come via the Basilica of Saint Francis website and Franciscan Order communications.
Follow the Dated Programme Through Late Summer and Autumn
Assisi's 800th-anniversary year carries more than 80 initiatives, organised with local authorities, Franciscan communities, the diocese and civic associations, and several are firmly dated. Build a trip around these if you want the fullest calendar.
- 4 July: "Ascent to the mountain" — a sensory walk on Mount Subasio.
- 4–9 August: "DeMusicAssisi" festival — concerts, conferences and seminars on medieval music, art and spirituality.
- 28–30 August: "Francesco in the art of the Madonnari" — a collective street-art performance in the lower square of the Basilica of St Francis.
- 6 September: Cavalcata di Satriano — a commemorative procession involving four Umbrian municipalities.
- 20–22 September: "Assisi 4 Life" — sports, wellness and outdoor activities on Mount Subasio.
- 24–25 September: WTE (World Tourism Event) at Palazzo Monte Frumentario — an international tourism fair focused on UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- 3–4 October: Extraordinary Franciscan festivities — public ceremonies with national and international guests.
- 22–24 October: Sacred theatre festival — historical and contemporary productions.
The wider programme also includes exhibitions such as Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Franciscus. Fratello in arte," critical reprints of historic Franciscan texts, and a scientific project to catalogue and digitise the municipal library's ancient holdings at the Sacred Convent, making manuscripts and early printed works available to international researchers. A national promotion campaign, "Sìamo Francesco," runs on themes of inclusion, environment and fraternity, and the municipality has granted funds to 24 local initiatives spanning educational workshops, photographic exhibitions and itinerant performances. Commemorative coins and a special philatelic cancellation are also planned.
Stay Smart, Eat Well and Move Between the Hillside and the Plain
Getting there is straightforward: trains from Rome and Florence each take 2 to 2.5 hours to Santa Maria degli Angeli station, from which regional buses climb to the hilltop town centre. Nearest airports are Perugia (15 km), Rome Fiumicino (175 km) and Florence (180 km). Book accommodation well in advance for October 2026 — options run from hotels and B&Bs to religious guesthouses (conventi) and agriturismos. Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the foot of the hill, is cheaper and close to the Portiuncula.
Plan at least two to three full days. Visit the Basilica early morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest tour groups, and dress modestly for churches — covered shoulders and knees. The hillside is steep and cobbled, so bring comfortable walking shoes and layers. For multi-day stays, a Perugia–Assisi regional transport pass is suggested, and the surrounding towns reward a detour: Perugia is 30 minutes away, Spoleto an hour, Orvieto an hour and a half.
Plan Around the Crowds, Not Against Them
3 October is the emotional heart of the anniversary, but it will be extremely crowded. Spring, from April to June, and early autumn in September offer pleasant weather and thinner crowds, with events running across the whole anniversary year. If you want the Transitus itself, commit early: secure accommodation, watch the Basilica and Franciscan Order channels for the finalised schedule, and let the quieter weeks on either side of the feast carry the rest of your visit. The 800th year comes once — start mapping your route, your dates and your walking stages now.