Does anyone know if the Chiesa di San Francesco is within walking distance of the train station? Also, is it necessary to have a reservation to see the Legend of the True Cross?

Thanks!

Thanks. I see on the SelectItaly site that there is a special exhibition there through July, and the only way to see the Legend of the True Cross during this time is to get a ticket for the special exhibition, which is $35. Kind of steep...

There is a special exhibition, but you can also choose to see only the Legend cycle in San Francesco. We did this just a few weeks ago since we didn't have time to do both.

I tried to reserve before our trip on this web site and was not able to do it. It does look like the web site may be working now, though, so you can give it a try. Since we were there in early season, we were able to go directly to the ticket office (next to the church) and get a reservation for later in the day. I don't know if that would be possible later in the season.

It's probably not as attractive to booking agents like Select Italy to offer each ticket separately, and of course you're paying for the convenience of having them make the arrangements for you.

Last year we were there at the end of May, first of June--and did not have reservations, and feared we wouldn't get in. We got there at opening time and got right in--and it was wonderful because for awhile we were the only ones in there. We spent lots of time, listening carefully to the audio guide that your ticket includes (I believe I'm correct in remembering that it came with the ticket), and by the time we left, the little area where the cycle is was full of people. I recommend being the first ones there!

It is my understanding that the special exhibition was in the spring of 2007.

The tel # to the ticket office for a reservation that can be paid for when you pick up the tickets is

0575-352.721 or else 0575-299-071

I mad the reservation a few days in advance - when we arrived in Italy for the day we wanted to see the"Legend of the True Cross" and had no difficulty. The Piero della Francesca web sie was working today.


No more than a 10 min walk from stazione to the Chiesa San Francesco. The ticket office is just to the left of the church.

Enjoy.

In September one year, we were able to change our tickets to an earlier appointment on the spot, on the day. But I would get reservations in advance, as one can never predict how booked it might be on any given day.

By the way, the audio guide is about the best I have ever used. The iconography of the fresco cycle is pretty complicated, and if you haven't boned up on it beforehand, the audio guide is a real boon.

Yrs, Robert

Yes, the web site is working but it only accepts reservations starting in July - when the exhibition ends. I'll try the phone number tomorrow!