The project

Why Preserving Assisi

The Basilica of Saint Francis is renowned for some of the most remarkable cycles of medieval painting. Its frescoed surfaces and the close relationship between painting and architecture make the complex a landmark in the history of medieval art and a key place for understanding the Franciscan message.

The vulnerability of this heritage became particularly clear after the 1997 earthquake, when the conservation of the complex became an absolute priority. In that context, the photographic documentation produced by Franco Cosimo Panini Editore (Gruppo Panini Cultura) as part of the Mirabilia Italiae publishing project proved invaluable, providing a sound basis for rigorous, scientifically informed restoration work.

Today, the digitisation of the entire Basilica of Saint Francis is a natural continuation of this commitment. It provides a resource for conservation, research and public engagement, while the creation of a digital twin ensures that an accurate digital record of the Basilica can be preserved over time.

Preserving Assisi is an evolving project. Over the coming months, digitisation campaigns will continue, with new content and findings progressively added to the platform, expanding the digital documentation of the Basilica over time.

Project progress

Preserving Assisi is a large-scale project dedicated to the digitisation of the Basilica of Saint Francis, designed to create a complete digital record for research and long-term condition monitoring.

The project brings together gigapixel and 360° photographs, 3D models, point clouds, metadata and collections of texts. These materials document the painted surfaces and spaces of the complex, supporting research, conservation and new ways of discovering its heritage.

For Preserving Assisi, digitisation means producing accurate data that can serve as a lasting reference and provide practical support for preventive monitoring and restoration work. It also means leaving future generations a precise digital record of a centuries-old heritage of art and faith.