What to see in Assisi in one day and how to reach this beautiful city? Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and it is there that the Saint founded the Franciscan religious order. It is also the birthplace of St. Claire founder of the Poor Sisters.
We can reach Assisi by train, stopping at the Santa Maria degli Angeli station and then taking a bus that will take us in the center in about 20 minutes, leaving us in Piazza Matteotti which is the place we will start our tour from. Let's start!
After reaching Piazza Matteotti we cross the place and we find the Assisi Cathedral (in Italian also known as Cattedrale di San Rufino), dedicated to Saint Rufinus. In here St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized. Built in the 12th century it has a Romanesque façade divided in 3 sections but the inside was modified in 1571 so it has a late Renaissance style. You can also visit the museum with a 3,5 euros ticket where 300 artworks are exposed.
Proceed in via del Torrione until you reach the Temple of Minerva, an ancient Roman building that is now a church although the façade with 6 columns were preserved from the temple. It worth visiting it because it's a unique feeling to enter a Roman temple and then find yourself in a Catholic church.
Proceed in Corso Mazzini and you will reach the Basilica of Saint Clare, a church dedicated to St. Clare and which contains her remains built in 1257. You can visit the church with a 6 euros ticket but not in Sundays or when a Mass is being celebrated.
Take now via Sant'Agnese and walk until you reach the St. Francis Basilica. It's quite a walk so just stroll in the city center enjoying the amazing view and the medieval atmosphere. Stop for a gelato or an espresso and sit in a bar just people watching. Then reach the Basilica of St. Francis, a church built in 1228 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside we can see frescoes by Giotto although many were destroyed after the 1997 earthquake. Near the church you can visit the Museum of the treasure of St. Francis (Museo del tesoro della Basilica di San Francesco) where donation to the Saint are exposed. These includes paints, sculptures, manuscripts and ceramics.
Hope you enjoy the tour!
No comments:
Post a Comment