A visit to Assisi

We drove about an hour east to the city of Assisi where St. Francis lived and had his ministry. The old town is on a hilltop with beautiful views of the valley. This was our first view.


And this is looking back south over the valley we drove thru to get there.


The walled town dates to BC and the old wall and forum can still be seen. This is the ancient Temple of Minerva from 100BC. The clock tower on the left was from about 12th century.


We began high atop the town and walked to the bottom. Along the way we saw many sites related to St Francis and his patron St. Clare. And we found a pastry shop where we stopped and had to stop and sample.





Here are a few scenes of Assisi.








Cathedral of St Clare


Kneeling before this cross now hanging in the Cathedral of St Claire, St Francis received his calling to give up his comfortable life and serve all the less fortunate ... people and animals.


Church of St Stefano, an ancient rural church outside the town walls.



Cars and people must share the narrow roads


Upper Basilica of San Francisco. Along the upper side walls are spectacular frescoes telling the story of St Francis.


Under the lower Basilica is the tomb of St Francis.



In 4 days the pope is coming to Assisi and preparation is being made outside the Lower Basilica.


Very weary we waited for a bus to take us back to the top and our car.


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