Construction of the church and adjacent convent of St Clare began in 1257, three years after the saint's death

Entirely built in white and rose stone of Mount Subasio, its look is characterised by narrow, steep and winding alleys

Its upper and lower churches were decorated by notable artists of the time including Giotto's frescoes on the Life of St Francis

Its upper and lower churches were decorated by notable artists of the time including Giotto's frescoes on the Life of St Francis

Michaelangelo's Moses, St Pietro in Vinculo, Rome

Rainbow casting a magical arc over Assisi

Rainbow over Assisi

Road up to the Piazza del Comune

Sistine Chapel, St Peter's, Vatican, Rome

St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics

St Apollinaris in Classe with its byzantine mosaics

St Peter's, Vatican, Rome

St Peter's, Vatican, Rome

St Peter's, Vatican, Rome

St Peter's, Vatican, Rome