St. Francis Shrine

On the edge of the Ponty Dęba Reserve

Saint Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 to a wealthy merchant family. He lived in luxury until, at the age of 24, he experienced a vision in which he heard God's voice. Francis' conversion began on that day. In time, he renounced riches and gave all his goods to the poor. He started a penitential life, he helped the poor and needy, but he showed concern not only for other people, but also for the world around him.
Long before he was made a saint and declared the patron saint of animals, Francis enjoyed communing with nature. The love of nature was, along with living in poverty, one of the rules of the order he founded. He taught people a friendly and respectful approach to plants and animals.Francis recognized that since God created all creatures, they are our brothers, equal to each other and having the same right to life on earth as man.