The Basilica was built in 1228-1253 to honor St. Francis, which in its grandeur seems an oxymoron because he led a very simple life. The Basilica has wonderful breathtaking frescoes from Giotto and Cimabue. The Basilica was named a Unesco site in 2000.
In 2000 , the year of the Jubilee, the train station in Assisi was remodeled with the look of the old station and it remains like that to date.
To visit the town of Assisi without visiting La Porziuncola is missing a great part of the life and work of St. Francis.