Provinces:
Assisi
Bevagna
Castiglione del Lago
Gubbio
Montefalco
Orvieto
Panicale
Perugia
Spello
Spoleto
Todi

Assisi is a most lovely medieval town. The sweet St. Francis’ spirit welcomes everyone to Assisi. The first stop is the Basilica di San Francesco. The frescoes in the upper church depict the life of St. Francis while the lower church contains St. Francis’ crypt and the tesoreria/Museo del Tesoro with precious manuscripts, relics and St. Francis’ sackcloth robe. As you stand in the Piazza del Commune (a main square) look about you at the architecture of these medieval buildings (including the Tampeo di Minerva). It’s just amazing. This piazza used to be the Roman Forum (Foro Romano). They have excavated some parts of the Forum and some of the shops on this piazza will allow you to go in to their basements to see more of the ruins (they truly respect their history here — it’s wonderful). Other churches off this square are Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore (10^th century church with frescoes) and Chiesa di Santa Chiara. In the 13^th century Chiese di Santa Chiara/St. Clare you’ll find frescoes depicting the life of St. Clare who was a girl from a noble family who gave all of her riches to the poor. The Duomo (Romanesque) is in Piazza San Rufino. If you’re up to walking, you’ll enjoy hiking up to the hills above Assisi to the amphitheater and the 13^th century castle/fortress/ruins (Rocca Maggiore). You’ll be rewarded with great views over the city and Umbria — very beautiful. Outside the city are the following churches and sanctuaries associated with St. Francis: Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli (16^th century — St. Francis died here), Santuario di San Damiano (13^th century monastery where the crucifix spoke to St. Francis) and Eremo delle Carceri (monastery where St. Francis and his followers lived). Market day in Assisi is on Saturday.