"ASSISI" Top 5 Page for this destination Assisi by Goner

Assisi Travel Guide: 246 reviews and 604 photos

The Place of St. Francis

Assisi is in the beautiful hills of the Umbria Region in Northern Italy. We were told by our tour guide that there are 99 hilltop towns in the area, however, we couldn’t count them all. It was enjoyable riding along in the bus and watching this pretty countryside pass by our windows, so different from the busy Venice we had just left. The hilltop towns sit perched on hills far from the main highway and we didn’t stop to explore any until we reached Assisi. There was an air of reverence as we left the bus and climbed up the steep hill to the Basilica. I had read about the mystical and poetic Saint Francis as a child and was quite impressed that a man would give up his wealth to become a penniless monk and care for lepers.

The Story of St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi, Saint (1182-1226). Born in Assisi, Italy and originally named Giovanni Francesco Bernardone, he appears to have received little formal education, even though his father was a wealthy merchant. As a young man, Francis led a worldly, carefree life. Following a battle between Assisi and Perugia, he was held captive in Perugia for over a year. While imprisoned, he suffered a severe illness during which he resolved to alter his way of life. Back in Assisi in 1205, he performed charities among the lepers and began working on the restoration of dilapidated churches. Francis’s change of character and his expenditures for charity angered his father, who legally disinherited him. Francis then discarded his rich garments for a bishop’s cloak and devoted the next three years to the care of outcasts and lepers.

Francis began preaching. and established the order of the Franciscans. In 1212 he received a young, well-born nun of Assisi, Clare, into Franciscan fellowship; through her was established the Order of the Poor Ladies (the Poor Clares). It was probably later in 1212 that Francis set out for the Holy Land, but a shipwreck forced him to return. He then went to Spain to preach to the Moors. In 1219 he was in Egypt, unable to convert the sultan, Francis then went on to the Holy Land, staying there until 1220. In September 1224, after 40 days of fasting, Francis was praying and a stigmata appeared on his body. Francis was carried back to Assisi, where his remaining years were marked by physical pain and almost total blindness. He was canonized in 1228. In 1980, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him the patron saint of ecologists. In art, the emblems of St. Francis are the wolf, the lamb, the fish, birds, and the stigmata.

Parts of narrative were taken from Encarta

Pros and Cons

Pros:A Beautiful Town in the Beautiful Umbria Region
In a nutshell:Inspiring Historical Town

Last visit to Assisi: Mar 2001
Intro Updated Dec 9, 2003
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Reviews (13)

Visit a Mystical Hilltop Town Favorites (1)

I had seen many churches on this trip to Italy, but the Basilica di San Francesco was memorable because I was familiar... more travel advice

Steep Streets Things to Do (11)

You need hiking boots to walk these streets. Along these up and down streets were some interesting shops, besides... more travel advice

The Bell Tower Things to Do (11)

The campanile was built in 1239. I got a little dizzy taking this picture. more travel advice

Aerial View Things to Do (11)

This postcard is an aerial view of Assisi and the surrounding landscape. You can see here the beauty of the countryside... more travel advice

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Written Jul 23, 2003

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Comments (18)

schoobi Aug 22, 2010 at 4:11 PM Report Abuse

great page !
dfactor Aug 3, 2005 at 5:13 AM Report Abuse

I agree with you. It's a nice feeling looking at Assis from the bus, perching at the hill side. :D
matcrazy1 Mar 24, 2005 at 2:31 PM Report Abuse

Very good page again with good and much talking pictures. Great description.
JetlagCity Aug 25, 2004 at 9:05 AM Report Abuse

Excellent point about how this man and this church had such an influence throughout the world, like in the missions in California. I'd love to see this place someday.
karenincalifornia Mar 10, 2004 at 9:54 PM Report Abuse

I visited your page because I will be in Assisi this summer. Your photos are stunning! Hiking boot, really?? I LOVED your animal photos on your home page!
prleprle Feb 21, 2004 at 11:04 AM Report Abuse

Assisi is the place I should have to visit when I get back to Italy one day... really fine presentation!
deecat Feb 5, 2004 at 8:53 PM Report Abuse

A wonderful description of Assisi with plenty of detail, personal commentary, and lovely photography.
tak_pap Jan 27, 2004 at 3:27 AM Report Abuse

I really like your pages - so artistic style and great photos ! Well done !
zrim Oct 31, 2003 at 11:56 PM Report Abuse

What a great, check that, awesome into photo. I've known that I've wanted to visit Assisi for some time now, but your photos brougt it to life.
pepples46 Aug 14, 2003 at 12:02 AM Report Abuse

Nancy...the intro pic..beautiful, what a place, what a page...thank you, I enjoyed it very much

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