Following the success of "Francis and Brother Wolf," which attracted more than 17,000 visitors, from 9 May to 13 September 2026 the city of Gubbio offers an itinerary through its museums and the sites associated with the Franciscan tradition.
GUBBIO (5 May 2026) – Following the remarkable success of the exhibition "Francis and Brother Wolf," which attracted more than 17,000 visitors in recent months, Gubbio is preparing to open a new and significant chapter in its cultural journey dedicated to Saint Francis. At a time when the relationship between humanity, nature, and community has once again become central to contemporary debate, the city presents a new initiative that brings together art, spirituality, and local identity. This morning, at the Church of San Francesco della Pace, the exhibition "Francis in Gubbio: Art and Spirituality in the Land of the Wolf" was officially presented to the press. The exhibition is the centerpiece of the city's cultural program celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis.
During the press conference, the exhibition's content, objectives, and structure were presented, highlighting a project that represents the natural continuation of the journey begun with the previous exhibition. It also forms part of a broader program of initiatives promoted by the Municipality of Gubbio and the Francis in Gubbio Committee, an organization that has been actively engaged in promoting these celebrations since July 2025.
The presentation was attended by the Mayor of Gubbio, Vittorio Fiorucci; Councillor for Culture Paola Salciarini; Don Mirco Orsini, Vicar of the Diocese; Father Marco Bellachioma, Guardian of the Conventual Franciscan Friars community in Gubbio; the exhibition curators Cristina Galassi and Ettore Sannipoli; and Fabio Mariani, President of the Università dei Muratori. Their participation reflected the strong institutional and local partnership that underpins the project.
The exhibition will be inaugurated on 8 May 2026 and will be open to the public from 9 May to 13 September. Its schedule coincides with several of Gubbio’s major cultural events, including the Festival of the Middle Ages, and leads up to the celebrations on 4 October, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The exhibition is conceived as a citywide experience, engaging the entire urban landscape through an itinerary that connects museums with sites closely linked to the Franciscan tradition. To encourage an accessible and integrated visitor experience, a single discounted admission ticket has been introduced, providing access to a journey that brings together art, history, and spirituality. The itinerary includes the Palazzo dei Consoli, the heart of Gubbio's medieval artistic heritage; the Diocesan Museum of Gubbio and the Cathedral, which preserve important works and testimonies related to the Franciscan tradition; and the Logge dei Tiratoi, a venue dedicated to ceramic art and local craftsmanship. These are complemented by the places most closely associated with Saint Francis in Gubbio, including the Church of the Vittorina and the Church of San Francesco della Pace, where the Wolf's Tomb is preserved. A central feature of the project will be the exceptional opening of the Church of San Francesco, the place where the Spadalonga family welcomed Francis and where he received his first religious habit. A special exhibition section will be installed here, featuring contemporary works by artists from Gubbio in a dialogue between artistic traditions spanning the centuries. Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to explore the entire architectural complex, including its two cloisters, which are normally closed to the public. The project also stands out for the active involvement of local artists and artisans, who have been invited to reinterpret Franciscan themes through contemporary perspectives, strengthening the bond between the community and the anniversary celebrations.
The initiative is the result of a close collaboration between local institutions and organizations—including the Municipality of Gubbio, the Diocese of Gubbio, and the Conventual Franciscan Friars—working together within the Francis in Gubbio Committee, with the support of both public and private partners. Among the key contributors is the Università dei Muratori e Scalpellini (Guild of Masons and Stonemasons), owner of the Church of San Francesco della Pace, whose participation further strengthens the connection between Gubbio's living history and the universal message of Saint Francis.
With this new initiative, Gubbio reaffirms its role as one of the principal centers of the Franciscan celebrations, offering a cultural model that successfully combines the enhancement of its heritage, the quality of its cultural and tourism offering, and the depth of its historical and spiritual content. In doing so, it fosters a meaningful and enduring dialogue between past and present.
