Assisi and Poppi unveil major exhibitions marking 800 years of St Francis

From 14 June to 4 October 2026 the Castle dei Conti Guidi in Poppi will host the exhibition “Francesco. Il Casentino, i Codici di Assisi, l’iconografia”. The show, organized by the municipality of Poppi with regional and monastic partners, will display precious medieval codices from the Biblioteca Rilliana that originated in the Sacro Convento di Assisi, alongside paintings and artefacts tracing the evolution of Saint Francis’s iconography.

Meanwhile, the Rocca Maggiore in Assisi is presenting “Franciscus. Fratello in arte”, a new exhibition curated by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto and running until 4 October. Sponsored by the Comune di Assisi, Opera Laboratori, Cittadellarte‑Fondazione Pistoletto, Galleria Continua and the Regione Umbria, the exhibition interprets Pope Francis as the “First Saint of Art” and showcases works such as “Il Terzo Paradiso”, “Le Bandiere delle religioni” and the artist’s mirror installations that promote dialogue among faiths. Pistoletto said, “La mostra abbraccia la storia del Santo celebrandone l’ottocentesimo anno dalla morte.” Both exhibitions are part of the nationwide celebrations of the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi.