The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi
The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi
The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi
4.5
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Neighborhood: North Beach
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4.5
51 reviews
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Alexandra D
San Francisco Area7 contributions
The National Shrine offers a place of tranquility, beauty and a powerful spiritual feeling. All people are welcome here to rest and to explore their inner selves. This oldest church in San Francisco is a must see for those interested in sacred places or St Francis or the California Missions. Also at this site is the 3/4 model of St Francis's favorite church in Assisi. This church in Assisi was the first church he rebuilt for God, a place where he often prayed and the place where he died and was buried. The Porzuincola Nuova (or new little church) is a beautiful replica of the original and is open to the public daily.
Written November 12, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin C
San Francisco, California, United States15 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
This beautiful church and its Porziuncola Nuova Chapel are tops to see during anyone's visit to San Francisco. They are located in the center of North Beach, SF's most interesting and enjoyable neighborhood, a short walk from Union Square and next to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. The church is the oldest church in California outside of the Spanish missions and is a neo-gothic work of art, a very warm and calm place. The chapel is a faithful and beautiful reproduction of the chapel in Assisi that Saint Francis repaired, where he established his order, and where he died. The Shrine is for everyone, regardless of your beliefs. The church is open ever day from 10AM to 5 PM; and the Porziuncola Nuova,Tuesday through Sunday from 10 to 6, as is the Francesco Rocks gift store next door. The Shrine's website with photos is shrinesf.org.
Written December 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CassieMace
Huntington, WV287 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
We stopped here on a walking tour of North Beach. I enjoyed hearing the history of the building and I was grateful that one of the people in our party was able to pray in the shrine.
This place was saved from
Fires by being covered in wine soaked rags. It is a treasure.
This place was saved from
Fires by being covered in wine soaked rags. It is a treasure.
Written December 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManyConferences
Bowling Green KY252 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
I love visiting churches, This was a great stop for me but if you have children it most likely isn't on your list. It is your typical Catholic Church nothing out of the ordinary but for a moment of peace and serene it's a nice stop.
Written June 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff S
Texas Gulf Coast, TX1,153 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
This architecturally striking shrine on Vallejo Street is a prominent landmark in the North Beach district. As a BART user and an urban trekker, I didn’t mind that parking was scarce in this area. Along its interior walls, paintings depicted the 14 Stations of the Cross, from the Condemnation of Jesus to Death to the Laying of Jesus in the Tomb. There are also eight big murals behind and near the altar. The dozen or so large and colorful Gospel-themed stained glass windows were worth seeing for their own sakes. An aisle divided about 20 rows of wooden pews. Other pews faced each other near the altar. I most liked the gracefully vaulted arches, the stunning stained glass, and the sense of active spiritual presence I found in this sanctified space.
Written April 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lonil990
Stayton, OR83 contributions
Aug 2019
We were staying in the area and decided to attend Mass here. It's a bustling part of town but so beautiful and peaceful inside! We came early to take pictures, wander, and learn about this shrine.
Written November 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleks S
Hamilton, Canada161 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
No Little Italy, anywhere in North America, is complete without its chiesetta, its neighburhood church. That this one is a National Shrine to the patron saint of the city makes it even more special. I dropped in not knowing preparations for mass were in progress. From the sacristy beautiful traditional chant could be heard - the parish is home to Marist Brothers. Lovely mural of St Francis preaching to the birds, faithful reproduction of the San Damiano cross. Gleaming twin spires rise above the neighbourhood bustle and stand in contrast to the modern pyramid tower nearby. Worth popping in if you are in Little Italy.
Written July 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kpiddy
Brisbane, Australia14,319 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
It was on a food walking tour that we were shown the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi. We were privileged to be welcomed by a church greeter and invited to tour the shrine and enjoy.
La Nuova Porziuncola is a scaled replica of Saint Francis's Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy, and we were delighted to say that it brought back many memories of our visit to the little chapel in Assisi last year, we were transported in an instance to another country. It is simply beautiful.
La Nuova Porziuncola is a scaled replica of Saint Francis's Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy, and we were delighted to say that it brought back many memories of our visit to the little chapel in Assisi last year, we were transported in an instance to another country. It is simply beautiful.
Written September 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhroncich
Brookfield, IL578 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
While the church itself is closed for renovations, the 75% scale model of St Francis' church in Assisi is holy and wonderful. A nice place to light a candle and offer a prayer before the blessed sacrament. Daily mass at 12:30, Sunday at 11. Free, but seek donations for upkeep of the national shrine. Cool gift shop right around the block too, affiliated with this shrine.
Written September 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob A
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
Aug 2014 • Solo
The Cathedral is temporarily closed for renovation; rumor is that it will open in September 2014. The adjacent chapel is open.
The adjacent chapel, La Porziuncola Nuova, is a scaled replica of Saint Francis's Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy. It was dedicated in San Francisco on September 27, 2008 by Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Porziuncola means "small portion of land" and refers to the Benedictine chapel Saint Francis restored when he was a young man.
Do visit.
The adjacent chapel, La Porziuncola Nuova, is a scaled replica of Saint Francis's Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy. It was dedicated in San Francisco on September 27, 2008 by Cardinal William J. Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Porziuncola means "small portion of land" and refers to the Benedictine chapel Saint Francis restored when he was a young man.
Do visit.
Written August 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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