Assisi, Italy

View of Porta Urbica in Assisi, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assisi,_porta_urbica.JPG
Author: sailko


Assisi is a town in the province of Perugia, in the region of Umbria, in central Italy. It covers 186.8 sq km (72.1 sq mi) and has a population of 28,000 people (2012 estimate).

Assisi is famous for being the birthplace in 1208 of St Francis, often called St Francis of Assisi, who founded the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Franciscan (which today also includes some Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational communities). In the 19th century, it was also the birthplace of Francesco Possenti, who later became known as Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The fact that St Francis was born here has made Assisi a popular pilgrimage destination, particularly among Roman Catholics. There are many churches in this town, but the most important to tourists is undoubtedly the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, today a World Heritage Site.

Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of St Francis of Assisi)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:296AssisiSFrancesco.jpg
Author: Geobia


Human habitation in Assisi goes back to 1000 BC. The area was occupied by the Etruscans since 450 BC, and was conquered by the Romans in 295 BC following the Battle of Sentinum. The decline of Roman power saw the invasion staged by King Totila of the Ostrogoths in AD 545.

During his life time, Francesco di Bernardone was taken prisoner in the Battle at Ponte San Giovanni. This led him to a life as a begger, when he renounced the world, and eventually established the Order of Friars Minor, better known as the Franciscan Order.

Assisi

From Rome, take the A1 expressway north until Caldare, where you continue on the SS675 (E45) highway heading east to the interchange for the SS3bis (E45) highway heading north. At Foligno, continue on the SS75 highway until you reach Assisi.

Portico di Monte Frumentario, Assisi
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:273AssisiPorticoFrumentario.jpg
Author: Geobia

Places of Interest in Assisi

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