The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was founded in the 10th Century and was originally the cathedral of Assisi. The present building’s façade is divided into 3 sections by pilaster strips. There is a 9th Century sarcophagus near the entrance and 14th and 15th Century frescoes. A passageway leads from the crypt to the ‘House of Propertius’ with its Pompeian style wall paintings. Although the church no longer had the status of cathedral, the nearby building, where St Francis renounced his earthly wealth, continued to be used as the bishop’s palace.
