"Assisi - the jewel of Umbria" a Assisi Travel Page by mccalpin

Assisi is a pleasant hilltown in Umbria, the beautiful province between Lazio and Tuscany.

Assisi was the home of St. Francis of Assisi, whose simple ways might be horrified at what has happened in his hometown since.

However, a visit to the upper city is well worth it for any tourist...

St. Francis was an iconic figure in the history of Italy. His prayer (yes, "the Prayer of St. Francis") is considered the oldest document in Italian (as opposed to Latin), written in his Umbrian dialect.

St. Francis created (intentionally or not) a number of religious orders based on his simple lifestyle and belief in peace.

Thus, it is a bit humorous that the primary monument to St. Francis is a large basilica on the edge of the city center. However, this basilica is the home of great art - in a sense, the Renaissance began here, when artists like Giotto painted frescos all over the interior of the church.

These frescos were badly damaged in an earthquake in 1997; they have been restored to an amazing degree (but not 100%) - you should take the opportunity to see them while you can!

In addition to being the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi is a town that has been a hilltown since Etruscan times. Being a hilltown, it is a joy to walk around in, where the pedestrian is king, not the car.

Here, we see a stairway that connects two roads that are joined by a stair cut through a building...