Assisi Italy - Must Visit Attractions & Best Things To Do

Pilgrims have been coming to Assisi, Italy since the 13th century to venerate St. Francis, who was born and buried here, but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy the beauty of this postcard-perfect town.

Framed by the long, undulating hills of Umbria and the forests of Monte Subasio, Assisi is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the world and one of Italy’s most spell-binding gems.

You see, Assisi isn’t just home to UNESCO World Heritage sites, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entire town basks in this coveted status because of its plethora of art and historically significant buildings, like the Basilica di San Francesco.

The basilica, in particular, has such a collection of frescoes and paintings that it rivals many art museums. According to the UN, The town has a singular importance for its role in the diffusion of the Franciscan Order and for its “continuity of a city-sanctuary” from its Umbrian-Roman origins to today.

#Assisi #AssisiItaly #Italy

Religion in Assisi
As the birth place of one of Catholicism’s most venerated saints (one of the two patron saints of Italy), Assisi is a town with religion very close to its heart. Visitors shouldn’t be surprised to see monks in long brown robes roaming the streets or bands of pilgrims walking the country roads surrounding the town.

Its religious influence is reflected even in its sister towns: Assisi is twinned with Bethlehem and Santiago di Compostella, among others. Today Assisi is considered a global symbol of peace. It has hosted three meetings of the major world religions, convened by Pope John Paul II in 1986 and 2002 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. It was also the home of St. Clare, who was personally inspired to follow the path of God by St. Francis and helped form the Order of Poor Clares which still exists today.

What to See

Rocca Maggiore
The massive Rocca Maggiore sits at the tip top of Assisi. It’s a 14th-century castle that is the perfect starting place for sightseeing because everything is, quite literally, downhill from there.

Basilica of St. Francis
The most famous and probably most impressive attraction in Assisi is the Basilica of St. Francis. It’s also literally the biggest thing in the area – so massive you can see it for miles around.

Duomo di San Rufino
The San Rufino Cathedral or simply Assisi Cathedral is a favorite spot among pilgrims due to its connection to St. Francis’ life. It has a beautiful, Romanesque façade featuring three rose windows.

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
This church is built inside a converted 1st century BC temple once dedicated to the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva. Amid all the medieval and Renaissance buildings, its towering corinthian columns are a stark reminder of the power and beauty of Roman imperial architecture.

Santa Maria degli Angeli
This Basilica is famous for housing the Porziuncola, a tiny stone structure considered the home of St. Francis and his followers. Today the Porziuncola is a small church on the inside of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

San Damiano Church
San Damiano is a tiny church located outside of the walls of Assisi. According to legend, it was here that St. Francis first heard the voice of God telling him to “rebuild the church.”

Chiesa Nuova
Near to the Piazza del Comune, Assisi’s central piazza, Chiesa Nuova supposedly sits atop the childhood home of St. Francis.

Basilica di Santa Chiara
Finally, there’s the Basilica of St. Clare. One of the more prominent women in the history of the Catholic church, St. Clare was St. Francis’ contemporary and founder of the Order of the Poor Clares.

Know Before You Go
Though you can tour the city center in just an afternoon, give yourself an overnight stay or at least a full day to truly soak in the atmosphere. The historic city center of Assisi, Italy is small and welcoming, easily managed on foot. That said, keep in mind that you’re in hilly Umbria, in the foothills of Monte Subasio. Bring your walking shoes and take it slow on the sometimes-steep, cobblestone streets!

Visitors can enjoy the city year round but we prefer fall, winter, and spring – it can feel like an oven during the summer and that’s also the season when you get peak pilgrimage crowds. Because of its central location in Italy, the “shoulder” seasons in Assisi are often warm and pleasant, even when areas in Northern Italy are still cold.

Since a huge part of visiting Assisi is stepping inside its many gorgeous churches, be sure to dress appropriately. Shorts that cover your knees and shirts that cover your shoulders are a must for both men and women.
---------------------------
Our Web Site:
https://lugtur.com

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/lug.tur

Видео Assisi Italy - Must Visit Attractions & Best Things To Do канала Lugtur Travel | Places to Visit