Diana Petterson 60 Days of Italy, European Continent, Italy

60 Days of Italy – Assisi

The Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches (known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church) and a crypt, where the remains of the saint are interred. This is the Upper Church, but we began our visit inside the basilica at the Lower Church below. After the death of Saint Francis it was Pope Gregory IX , who wanted the construction of a special church in Assisi to intern the body of the Saint. He was the pontiff who canonized Francis of Assisi on July 16, 1228. Saint Francis died in Assisi on Oct. 3, 1226. (May 15, 2023)

Italy Day 28: A Day in Assisi!

Assisi is the birthplace and resting place of St. Francis who founded the Franciscan religious order in 1208. And, St. Clare, Chiara d’Offreducci, with St. Francis founded the Poor Sisters which later became the Order of Poor Clares after her death.

An important Roman Catholic pilgrimage destination, Assisi is home to the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Built into the side of a hill and is comprised of two churches, known as the Upper and Lower Churches, it was begun in 1228 and along with the frescoed stories of St. Francis, his remains are interred in the crypt.

Although St. Francis is why most people journey to Assisi, this charming medieval hill town, about a 30 minute taxi ride from our home base in Perugia, has a number of significant landmarks, in addition to the Basilica, including the remains of a Roman Amphitheater; the Assisi Cathedral dedicated to Saint Rufino, the Basilica di Santa Chiara and the Chiesa Nuova, along with narrow, winding streets full of beautiful historical architecture.

Here’s to St. Francis, St. Clare and the views of Assisi!

Alice and I in front of the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and is made up of two churches (known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church) and a crypt, where the remains of the Saint Francis of Assisi are interred. (May 15, 2023)
A view of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi from our taxi ride up to Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Along the Via Del Torrione in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Along the Via Del Torrione in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Assisi Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Assisi, bishop Rufinus of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Assisi Cathedral dedicated to San Rufino was the third church built on the same site to contain the remains of bishop Rufinus of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction was started in 1140. Although St. Francis is the patron saint of Italy, Rufinus is the patron saint of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Assisi Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Assisi, bishop Rufinus of Assisi. (April 15, 2023)
Inside Assisi Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Assisi, the first bishop of the city, Rufinus of Assisi. He is said to be responsible for converting Assisi to Christianity. (May 15, 2023)
Inside Assisi Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Assisi, the first bishop of the city, Rufinus of Assisi. He is said to be responsible for converting Assisi to Christianity. (May 15, 2023)
A statue of St. Francis of Assisi inside the Assisi Cathedral. St. Francis, The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, St. Francis renounced his wealth when he was called by God. He was born in Assisi circa 1181-3 and died in Assisi in October 1226.
St. Francis, one of the most venerated figures in Christianity, founded the Franciscans and was inspired to lead a life of poverty as an itinerant preacher. He is usually depicted in a robe with a rope as a belt. (May 15, 2023)
A statue of Saint Clare inside Assisi Cathedral dedicated to the patron saint of Assisi, the first bishop of the city, Rufinus of Assisi.
Born Chiara Offreduccio in Assisi on July 16, 1994, her name is sometimes spelled Clara, Clair or Claire. She was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi. Inspired by his teachings Saint Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. She died Aug. 11, 1253 and is entombed in the church named after her, the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
This baptismal font, now a chapel inside the Assisi Cathedral, is said to be where Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare and many of their original disciples were baptised. It was on hearing Francis preaching in this church in 1209 that Clare became deeply touched by his message and realized her calling. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi while walking to the Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square. (May 15, 2023)
The Piazza del Comune or Town Hall Square in Assisi is where the Roman Forum once stood and the focal point of medieval Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune in Assisi was probably dedicated to Hercules and erected in 30 BC. It is situated where the Roman Forum once stood and was transformed into the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in the 16th century. It turns out to be among the best preserved Roman temples of the ancient world. (May 15, 2023)
The Temple of Minerva in the Piazza del Comune in Assisi was probably dedicated to Hercules and erected in 30 BC. (May 15, 2023)
The Piazza del Comune in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The former area of the Roman amphitheatre of Assisi is located in the district of Porta Perlici, one of the eight gates of the city. Although not much of the ancient amphitheater structure remains from it beginnings of the first half of the 1st century, the original elliptical amphitheater is still visible between the garden wall boundary of the medieval buildings. (May 15, 2023)
The Roman Amphitheater, of which nothing remains above ground but its round shape, is lined with small houses built during the Middle Ages in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The Roman Amphitheater, of which nothing remains above ground but its round shape, is lined with small houses built during the Middle Ages in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Rocca Maggiore, a medieval fort of two fortresses built in 1316, sits on a hill far above Assisi with the remains of the city walls extending downwards to Assisi and formerly connecting to the large wall to the right of this photo. (May 15, 2023)
Rocca Maggiore, a medieval fort of two fortresses built in 1316, sits on a hill far above Assisi with the remains of the city walls extending downwards to Assisi and formerly connecting to the large wall to the right of this photo. (May 15, 2023)
Views of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Walking through one of the ancient gates of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The Porta San Giorgio one of the ancient gates in Assisi used by pilgrims heading to the Basilica of Santa Chiara. (May 15, 2023)
The Basilica di Santa Chiara or Saint Clare dedicated to and containing the remains of Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi and founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, known today as the Order of Saint Clare. (May 15, 2023)
The Basilica di Santa Chiara or Saint Clare dedicated to and containing the remains of Saint Clare of Assisi. Although we did enter the basilica, photos are not allowed inside. (May 15, 2023)
Views of the Umbrian Valley from the Piazza Santa Chiara in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Views of the Umbrian Valley from the Piazza Santa Chiara in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Views of the Umbrian Valley from the Piazza Santa Chiara in Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The wooden door once led to the home of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi. He is said to have lived in this home for the first 24 years of his life with his father, a prosperous cloth merchant, Pietro di Bernardone and his mother Pica de Bourlemont, who was said to be a noblewoman from France. He was given material privileges which he later rejected. (May 15, 2023)
The wooden door once led to the home of Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi. He is said to have lived in this home for the first 24 years of his life with his father, a prosperous cloth merchant, Pietro di Bernardone and his mother Pica de Bourlemont, who was said to be a noblewoman from France. He was given material privileges which he later rejected. (May 15, 2023)
The door to the birthplace and home of Saint Francis of Assisi. (may 15, 2023)
The ground floor room, just below the birthplace and home of Saint Francis of Assisi, served as a warehouse where the saint worked with his father. (May 15, 2023)
This ground floor room, just below the birthplace and home of Saint Francis of Assisi, served as a warehouse where the saint worked with his father. (May 15, 2023)
This ground floor room, just below the birthplace and home of Saint Francis of Assisi, served as a warehouse where the saint worked with his father. (May 15, 2023)
The Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church” in Assisi, was built in 1615 just above the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. The Saint had been locked inside here by his father after he had given away his possessions to have the San Damiano Church repaired. (May 15, 2023)
The Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. The Saint had been locked inside here by his father after he had given away his possessions to have the San Damiano Church repaired. (May 15, 2023)
The altar inside the Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
Dome ceiling of the altar inside the Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
A chapel inside the Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
A chapel inside the Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
A chapel inside the Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
Inside the Chiese Nuova in Assisi is this depiction of St. Francis who was renowned for drinking and partying in his youth after fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia plus being captured and imprisoned for ransom renounced his father and all of his worldly possessions. It is said that his father after beating and chaining Francis, confined him in a prison. (May 15, 2023)
The Chiesa Nuova, literally translated “New Church”, was built in 1615 on the site of the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi, where he lived with his family until he was 24 years old. (May 15, 2023)
Statues of the parents of St. Francis of Assisi in the square of the Chiesa Nuova in Assisi. His father was a prosperous cloth merchant, Pietro di Bernardone, and his mother, Pica de Bourlemont, was said to be a noblewoman from France. (May 15, 2023)
The Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches (known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church) and a crypt, where the remains of the saint are interred. This is the Upper Church, but we began our visit inside the basilica at the Lower Church below.
After the death of Saint Francis it was Pope Gregory IX , who wanted the construction of a special church in Assisi to intern the body of the Saint. He was the pontiff who canonized Francis of Assisi on July 16, 1228. Saint Francis died in Assisi on Oct. 3, 1226. (May 15, 2023)
The Lower Church of the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The entrance to the Lower Church of the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi where we entered to view the beautiful frescos. Photos throughout the basilica are prohibited. (May 15, 2023)
The Tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Crypt of the Lower Church of the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. As I mentioned, photos are prohibited, but I was able to get this photo and this photo only inside the churches of the basilica. (May 15, 2023)
The Romanesque arches of the friary Sacro Convento, between the Lower and Upper churches of the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi or the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Views while walking through Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Views while walking through Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
Views while walking through Assisi. (May 15, 2023)
The Porta San Pietro in Assisi, across from a parking lot and taxi stand where we found a taxi to bring us back to Perugia. This gateway is part of the original medieval wall that went all the way around the town protecting it from attack. (May 15, 2023)
My very creamy, very rich and heavy dinner called “The Real Carbonara Pasta” at Al Tartufo, known for their truffles, back at our home base in Perugia. The carbonara consisted of Umbrian strangozzi pasta, fresh eggs, guan kale from Nordic, pecorino cheese and pepper. This was actually my second plate of carbonara because I found two different pieces of hair in my first plate. By the second plate, I had lost my appetite and was full rather quickly from the richness. (May 15, 2023)