Assisi lies some 14km/9mi southeast of Perugia in the medieval region of Umbria. The town, the ancient Umbrian city of Asisium, is situated on artificial terraces on a westerly outlier of the Monte Subasio.
History
The town, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Italy, owes its fame to St Francis, born here in 1182, the son of a wealthy merchant, who after spending his early years in a life of dissipation devoted himself to the service of the poor and the sick, founded the Franciscan order and died in 1226 in poverty and abstinence. His life, around which are many legends, has inspired major works from famous artists (including Giotto). With its well-preserved medieval streets and houses and its treasures of art Assisi is one of Italy's great tourist sights.
Leaving the lower church we go uphill to the left into the Via San Francesco and its continuation which lead to the Piazza del Comune, the town's main square, built on the site of the Roman forum. Under the Piazza del Comune, accessible via the Museo Civico (entrance on Via Portica) lies the very interesting archeological site known as the Foro Romano, dating from Roman times.
The portico of the Temple of Minerva in Assisi, perhaps dating from the Augustan period, was converted into the church of Santa Maria della Minerva. Near the temple stands the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (13th century) with a tower.
A little way south of the Palazzo Comunale, on a lower level, is the Chiesa Nuova (1615), a small church on a centralized plan, erected, it is said, on the site of St Francis's birthplace.
From the Piazza di San Rufino the old Via Santa Maria delle Rose ascends to the Rocca Maggiore, a castle high above the town, (re-built by Cardinal Albornoz in 1365) in which the Emperor Frederick II sometimes stayed during his youth. From here there are panoramic views.
Fortifications at the castle in Assisi.
Address: Medieval Castle, Via delle Rocca, I-06081 Assisi, Italy
At the end of the square in Assisi is the Palazzo Comunale or Palazzo dei Priori (Town Hall;14th century) with the municipal picture gallery (Pinacoteca).
Address: Pinacoteca, Piazza del Comune, I-06081 Assisi, Italy
Hours:
July 1 to August 31: 10am-1pm, 2:30pm-7pm
September 1 to June 30: 10am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Southeast of the town center of Assisi is the little convent of San Damiano (305m/1,007ft), founded by St Francis, of which St Clare was the first abbess. On the small terrace, gay with flowers, in front of the convent, St Francis is said to have composed his famous "Canticle of the Sun". In addition to the church, the cloister with frescoes by Eusebio di San Giorgio (1507), the convent and the convent gardens are open to visitors.
East of Assisi, charmingly situated in a small wood of holm-oaks above a ravine between the bare rock faces of Monte Subasio, is the hermitage of Le Carceri (791m/2,610ft), to which St Francis retired for his devotional exercises. The monastery dates from the 14th century; visitors are also shown the saint's rock-bed.
From the monastery it is an hour and a half's climb to the broad ridge of Monte Subasio (1,290m/4,257ft; panoramic views). The drive over Monte Subasio to Spoleto is also a fine experience.
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Saint Clares Church
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
St Francis Basilica, Assisi
Saint Clares Church, Assisi
Medieval Castle, Assisi
