Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi (Santa Chiara)

Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253) was an Italian saint, one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi and founded the Order of Poor Ladies to organize the women who chose to embrace monastic life in the Franciscan vision. On August 9, 1253, the Papal bull Solet annure of Pope Innocent IV confirmed that Clare's Rule would serve as the governing rule for the Order of Poor Ladies. Two days later, on August 11, Clare died at the age of 59. On August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. In 1263, Pope Urban IV officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare. The Basilica of St. Clare of Assisi was built in Italian gothic style between 1257 and 1265, along the road connecting Porta Nuova to St. Francesco.