Santa Maria degli Angeli Attractions

South of Assisi on the S.S. 75, is the small village of Santa Maria degli Angeli (218m/719ft). The church of the same name, a massive domed structure in Renaissance style, built between 1569-1630 over St Francis' oratory (Porziuàncola) and the cell in which he died. The nave and choir were re-erected after the earthquake in 1832 and the church was provided with a new facade in 1925-28. To the east of the sacristy is a small garden, in which it is said the roses have been thornless since an act of penance by the saint. Adjacent is the Cappella delle Rose with fine frescoes by Tiberio d'Assisi (1518), depicting scenes from the saint's life.