On September 18th, Mayor Gavin Newson and Angela Alioto officially unveiled San Francisco’s own replica of St. Francis’ famed “Porziuncola” chapel in Assisi.

The Porziuncola Nuova, opening to the public on September 27, will serve as an international spiritual center for people of all faiths — or even no faith. It is an identical replica, the only one of its kind in the world. Its frescoes, spanning five centuries, were masterfully recreated by a team of 16 Italian artists.

Photos: Drew Altizer