Basilica of S.Rufino: Intrior

The interior is somewhat disappointing compared to such an impressive facade. In fact, the interior is not Romanesque but was completely redone by Galeazzo Alessi in 1571 for reasons connected with the church's stability. The interior has a nave and two aisles separated by massive pillars. The church was restored in 1969 and some of the friezes and stucco work were removed.

St. Francis and St. Clare were baptised here. The Oratory of St. Francis is also located here and the Poor One would go there to meditate. The presbytery (with a Renaissance cupola over it) has an accentuated octagonal shape, with small lateral passageways leading to the nave. It has several works by Dono Doni (Deposition and Crucifixion), the tomb of St. Vitalis (1370), the tomb of St. Rufinus d'Arce and, under the main altar, the tomb of St. Rufinus.

The apse is distinguished by the majestic sixteenth-century wooden choir. Located off the presbytery is the Chapel of Mourning (late nineteenth century), so called because of the wooden copy of a terracotta sculpture representing the Pietà (fifteenth century). As tradition would have it, at the end of the fifteenth century, the Madonna wept real tears.

It winds its way under the cathedral and is composed of a nave and two aisles with a cross-vault and apse. It contains the Roman sarcophagus(third century) used to hold the remains of St. Rufinus. Also located here is the Pozzo della Mensa, a medieval well that is 28 metres deep. Next to the well are the remains of a Carolingian cloister (tenth century).

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