On Friday, February 16, 2024, an event was held to present the completed restoration of the “Majesty of Assisi” fresco located in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. The fresco is by the great medieval artist Cimabue and depicts what is traditionally regarded as the most accurate portrait of St. Francis.
The event was divided into two distinct sessions. One was a series of historical and artistic lectures and the other was the actual presentation of the completed restoration. About three-hundred people attended the event including friars, religious, authorities, students, citizens of Assisi and the surrounding area, as well as friends and benefactors of the Sacred Convent.
Thus, the participants filled the Cimabue room, which is one of a series of rooms comprising the recently inaugurated “Colle del Paradiso” Conference Center. The Center’s rooms are mainly found under the lower square of the Basilica of St. Francis. To see them, go to:
https://sanfrancescoassisi.org/html/ita/colleParadiso.php.
During the event, Friar Marco MORONI, Custos of the Sacred Convent, gave a lecture. He emphasized how the “rediscovery” of the true face of St. Francis has very high symbolic value, especially on the eve of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis. There were additional presentations by the Mayor of Assisi, Stefania PROIETTI, Professor Elvio LUNGHI and Professor Sergio FUSETTI, the chief restorer of the Basilica and Sacred Convent. To view the event in its entirety, including the educational lectures about the restoration, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SanFrancescoAssisi/videos
Friar Giulio CESAREO
