Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari
The madonnari of the world paint Saint Francis at the foot of the Basilica
About Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari
Ephemeral Art Meets Saint Francis
Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari brings one of the most fascinating traditions of Italian street art to Assisi (Province of Perugia): that of the madonnari, artists who paint extraordinary pictorial quality works on the ground with chalks. For this event, around fifty madonnari from around the world, considered among the very best, gather in the evocative Piazza Inferiore of the Basilica of Saint Francis.
The Direction of Kurt Wenner
Leading the Assisi part is Kurt Wenner, an American artist famous worldwide for inventing the 3D anamorphic madonnari technique, which creates three-dimensional perspective illusions. The artists create a collective artwork on a permanent support, intended to remain in Assisi as an artistic gift to the city and a tribute to the Poor Man of Assisi.
A Bridge Between Assisi and Curtatone
The initiative unfolds in two phases: artists first create works inspired by Franciscan themes during the National Meeting of Madonnari in Curtatone (Mantua), a historic international hub for ephemeral figurative art; the best then travel to Assisi to execute the final collective masterpiece. The event, organized by the Municipality of Assisi in collaboration with the Sacro Convento of Saint Francis, is part of the program for the VIII Centenary of the death of Saint Francis.
Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari — edition 2026
From August 28 to 30, 2026, the Piazza Inferiore of the Basilica of Saint Francis will become a large open-air canvas. Around fifty madonnari, selected from the best in the world, will work side by side to bring to life a collective artwork dedicated to the Poor Man of Assisi, under the artistic direction of Kurt Wenner.
The artwork, created on a permanent support, will remain as a gift to the city of Assisi, a tangible sign of the VIII Centenary celebrations. The event is linked to the National Meeting of Madonnari in Curtatone (August 14-15), from which the selected artists come.
Programme Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari 2026
Curtatone (MN) — August 14-15, 2026
First phase: madonnari create works inspired by Franciscan themes during the 52nd National Meeting of Madonnari at the Sanctuary of the Graces. The best are selected for Assisi.
Assisi — August 28-30, 2026
Second phase: around 50 madonnari from around the world create the large collective artwork dedicated to Saint Francis on a permanent support in the Piazza Inferiore of the Basilica of Saint Francis, under the artistic direction of Kurt Wenner.
Highlights Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari 2026
Prices Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari 2026
Practical information — Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari
How to get there
The Basilica of Saint Francis is located at the western end of the historic center of Assisi (PG). By car, it can be reached from the SS75; ample parking is available at Porta San Pietro and Piazza Matteotti. By train, get off at Assisi-Santa Maria degli Angeli station, with shuttle buses to the center.
Admission
The event takes place outdoors, in the Piazza Inferiore of the Basilica, and can be freely visited during the days the artwork is being created.
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Where does it take place — Francesco nell'Arte dei Madonnari
Piazza Inferiore della Basilica di San Francesco
Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco, 06081 Assisi