One of the most iconic spiritual destinations in the world, the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, has a major audio and control system upgrade enhancing the worship and visitor experience for millions of annual pilgrims. The recent project brought together JBL Intellivox loudspeakers, BSS signal processing, and AMX control systems to improve audio coverage, operation, and seamless integration across the site’s 10,000-square-meter outdoor space.
“The Basilica of St. Francis holds deep cultural and spiritual significance as the birthplace of the Franciscan movement, characterized by humility, poverty, and devotion to all creation,” the announcement states. “With two adjoining churches, frescoes by Giotto, and an expansive piazza that hosts large gatherings of worshippers and tourists, the site presents unique challenges for sound reinforcement.”
Acoustic demands include projecting spoken word over distances of up to 70 meters, covering both upper and lower squares with consistent clarity, and preserving the historic architecture by discreetly integrating technology into centuries-old stone walls. The installation was led by FP Service under the direction of owner Gianni Ferroni, with design support from Exhibo’s pre-sales specialists Andrea Ficara and Massimo Fucà, and programming by Marco Saini.
To meet these challenges, the integration team deployed six JBL Intellivox HP-DS370 loudspeakers and two JBL Intellivox HP-DS170 loudspeakers, custom-colored to blend into the Basilica’s environment. Known for their ability to deliver focused coverage, the Intellivox arrays bring uniform sound pressure levels and speech intelligibility throughout the outdoor spaces while minimizing reflections and acoustic spill. System processing and distribution relied on the BSS BLU-160 with a BLU-DAN, supported by BLU input and output cards. Control was achieved through AMX Varia SL-50 touch panels positioned at key points across the Basilica, along with AMX Muse 2300 processors and N2600 Series encoders and decoders to simplify audio and video management for non-technical users.
Despite logistical challenges, including transporting equipment along the Basilica’s narrow access roads, the integration was completed on schedule. According to Basilica Communications Director, Giulio Cesareo, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with visitors remarking on the intelligibility and presence of the system even in the upper square. “The intelligibility is really impressive,” he says. “The system enhances our ability to share the message of St. Francis with clarity, while remaining respectful of the Basilica’s history and sacred environment.”
“By combining the precision of JBL Intellivox with the durability of BSS and the simplicity of AMX control, the project sets a new benchmark for how advanced technology can be harmoniously integrated into world heritage sites,” the announcement concludes. “For the millions of pilgrims and visitors who continue to gather in Assisi each year, the Basilica now offers a richer, clearer, and more accessible spiritual experience.”
For more information, visit http://pro.harman.com/.
