Assisi

Rick Steves’ Italy guide book has a lovely self-guided walking tour of the city and also a thorough self tour of the Basilica. We have done these twice over the years. That would fill much of a day plus a leisurely lunch in a piazza, weather permitting.

Assisi is a place like no other and after 17 times, it is still like no other. I was with an international music festival held there every July for 2 1/2 weeks. St. Francis was no accident! Especially in the early morning (before tour groups) and in the evening (after tour groups), there is a sense of peace and calm as well as fun comes over the city and the people. Of course, do the churches: the Basilica San Francesco (all 3 levels), Santa Chiara (go for vespers if you can to hear the cloistered nuns singing in their beautiful and angelic voices), and San Rufino (and the museum beneath that piazza). Don't ignore Santa Maria Maggiore either. Below the very ancient church is the ruins of a Roman temple. Below that are the ruins of an even older Etruscan temple. Just think that place has been a holy place for over 2000 years! A nice walk (or short taxi ride) to San Rufino is powerful - that is where the crucifix that spoke to Francis is. That's where he received his calling to 'rebuild the church.' Go up to the Hermitage where Francis and the friars went to be alone. And go down to the lower city for Santa Maria del'Angeli is where you will see the hut that Francis and his followers lived in and where he died. The rose garden is there - the roses that have no thorns. Hmm, any chance you could stay overnight? I always stayed at Hotel Sole (near Santa Chiara and the main Piazza del Comune). It's a great, central place for home-base. Did I go on too much? Did I help?

Thank you so much! Yes, very helpful!

Goodness Robert, you write beautifully. I'll be staying in Perugia in March and Assisi is definitely on my list of places to see.

thanks for the nice words. Assisi is a passion of mine - can you tell? I first discovered this in Assisi: I like me there. The feeling has spread throughout Italy but Assisi is where it started. Assisi taught me a new way to explore, to appreciate, to wonder and to wander and it gave me a wonderful sense of peace, acceptance and purpose. Francis' peace prayer now hangs in my studio. Do sit in front of the crucifix at San Damiano - the one that spoke to Francis - and I bet it will speak to you. He sorta says 'now what are you going to do?'.