Most American visitors tend to jump just above the Ombrie on the way from Rome to Tuscany, but it is worth leaving the beaten track and exploring some of the charming cities of the region such as Orvieto or Assii. Assisi is known as the birthplace of Saint-François, one of the holy boss of Italy, but it is also a beautiful city at the top of a hill which is well understanding.
If you have a day to spend, I have recommendations on the best things to do in Assi.
About Assii
Assisi is located about 2.25 hours northeast of Rome and 2.25 hours south-east of Florence in the Ombrie region, near the city of Péurgie. Due to its location, it is easier to visit when you stay in Umbria or south of Tuscany, such as Cortona or Montepulciano. Assi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Due to the Basilica of Saint-François and other Franciscan sites.
Catholic pilgrims have visited seated for centuries, because it is the birthplace and the place of burial of Saint-François. Even today, as you walk in the city, you will find priests in dresses who walk side by side with tourists and pilgrims. However, you don’t need to be Catholic to appreciate the picturesque city or the beauty of architecture.
Arrive in assistant
If you are staying in Rome or Florence, you can take a train to assist, but one or the other direction will require a transfer. The station is about three kilometers from the old city center. Therefore, once you arrive, you will have to take a taxi or a 30-minute bus trip to the city center.
It is much more practical to travel by car, if you don’t mind driving in Italy through the winding, sometimes narrow roads, of umbria. And don’t be surprised if Google Maps takes you to dirt roads. I can be useful to look at a card to see if there is another route that can be two more minutes, but prevents you with gravel roads that look like aisles.
As with all the cities of Hill d’Italie, there are several car parks outside the city walls and some are in fact quite large, so finding a place is not a major challenge. Although there are places to park in the city, I find parking outside the walls easier to navigate.
Given that Assisi is quite large with regard to the Italian cities of Hill (about half an hour of walking at the end), I would recommend park at one end or to the other rather in the middle. We parked in Porta Nuova, at the opposite end of the basilica, in a paid parking lot, then took the escalator to the city door. The parking lot was not so expensive and the cashiers / kiosks take credit cards, so we did not have to worry about groping the parts.
Things to assist
Since ASISI is built on a hill, you can meet steep climbs during your visit, especially if you want to climb to Rocca Maggiore, a fort which is above the city. The alternative is to go to the fort and the park, but if you are ready to walk, that’s what I would recommend. Start your visit to Porto Nuova and the beautiful pin and basilica with white stripes from Saint-Clare.
From there, go up to Rocca Maggiore. Believe me that the climb in this direction is easier than the one I took from the Basilica of Saint-François! After visiting the fort, descend to the Basilica of Saint-François. Then you can return to town, stopping in other churches and monuments, shops and restaurants as you go.
See the Basilica di Santa Chiara
The Basilica di Santa Chiara bears the name of Saint Clare, one of the contemporaries of Saint-François and the founder of the Order of Poor Clares. This 13th century church is a beauty to see. The rosy and soft rosy and white building shines gently in the sun, supported by flying buttresses on the side. Piazza at the front presents a fountain and a beautiful overlook, which makes it a fun place to spend time and people look. (Note there are also public bathrooms off Piazza, but you will need Euro parts to enter.) Inside, you can see the San Damiano Crucifix and the crypt where Saint-Clare is buried.
By walking in the city, if you look at your eyes, you will see Rocca Maggiore looming on the city. Use Google Maps to transport your promenade in town and to the fortress.
Climb to Rocca Maggiore
Rocca Maggiore is a 12th century fortress that kept seated for centuries. Inside, there is a small museum. To be honest, the view that looks at the fortress and the vision looking at the city and the valley far exceed what is inside.
In fact, unless you really like to imagine yourself transported in the time of castles and knights, I do not think that the interior is worth the admission cost because there is not much to see.
After spending time exploring the fortress, go down to town towards the direction of the Basilica of Saint-François. Now you will probably be ready for lunch, and there are many restaurants serving regional specialties, including all the pork!
You will see porchetta, cheeses, savory meats, many truffles and also Norcino. Norcino refers to a means that meat be healed in the neighboring city of Norcia, including wild boar sausages and prosciutto.
Many people have recommended Osteria the Piazzetta Dell’erba, but we found ourselves at the Di Assi braceria. Curiously, a place that serves burgers. But I was attracted by the sidewalk menu promising the Cacio e Pepe with truffles. And inside, it was not a hamburger at all. It was charming and in fact the only place where we ate where we had to communicate only in Italian.
Visit the Basilica of Saint-François
Of course, the main thing to do in a seat is to visit the Basilica of Saint-François. It is one of the most important places for Christian pilgrimages in Italy and a breathtaking view to see, especially from the bottom as the city approaches.
The basilica combines both the upper and lower churches, as well as a large courtyard lined with column. The church was built in the 1200s and began to follow the death of Saint-François in 1228. You can enter the upper or lower church, but no photo is authorized inside. In addition, visitors must be covered by shoulders and knees.
The upper church, or basilica superiore, includes frescoes which represent scenes from the life of Saint-François. In the lower church, where Basilica inferresses, there are more frescoes as well as the tomb of Saint-François d’Assise. The lower church is much darker and clearer to reflect the values of the Franciscan order. During the visit, keep in mind that it is an important religious site and be quietly respectful.
In addition to visiting the churches, there is also an exhibition which explains the devastating impacts of the 1997 earthquakes which struck the region and destroyed many old buildings nearby and the safe of the basilica. An audio / video guide is available for this exhibition for fees.
See the Tempio di Minerva
After visiting the basilica, walk towards the center of the city and spend a little time looking at people in the Piazza del Comune. You will find many groups gathered here for visits, but there is still room to stop and enjoy a gelato.
The Minerva temple has the facade of an old Roman building, with the classic columns that you associate with the Greek and Roman architecture. However, inside the houses of the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva church. You can take advantage of the contrast of the ancient Roman outside with the architecture decorated from the 16th century inside.
Here you will also find the Roman underground forum. Although there is not a ton to see, it is easy to join a visit if you want a break from the sun or rain inside.
Visit Chiesa Nuovo
Before leaving Assi, you may want to stop in some of the small churches, such as Duomo di San Rufino, where you will find the fountain where Saint-François has been baptized. Or, I thought the Chiesa Nuova was really pretty. Located near Piazza del Comune, this church is supposed to be built at the top of St. Francis’ childhood house.
When you leave, you may also want to stop in the city below to see Santa Maria Degli Angeli (St. Mary of the Angels.) We did not have time to go to Montalcino, but we went and it’s magnificent.
I’m glad we made a seat stop on our Orvieto path in Montalcino. We also planned to visit Cortona on the same day, but we ended up spending so much time in Assisi that we did not do it. So don’t change, plan a full day to visit Assi. I will just have to save Cortona for the next time!
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Tamara Gruber is the founder and publisher of We3Travel. Former director of marketing and travel advisor, Tamara is a award -winning and expert travel writer recognized in family trips. Tamara is a member of Satw, Natja, Ifwtwa and Adventure Travel Trade Association, and headquarters to the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimeTofly.com and the co-host of the Mavens Travel Podcast Podcast.