Assisi

Did you ever see ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’, the movie that came out years ago about St Francis of Assisi? It showed a wealthy young man, who on returning from active duty in some battle, started to question the values promoted by his powerful father and the local head of the Church. In the end he quite dramatically rejected their values and their lifestyle and instead, with four close friends, lived a very simple life preaching love, not only of your fellow man but also of all living creatures, a very new belief for that time. He was idealistic, certainly, but over his life and even after he died, stories of his life inspired countless people to be kind and to be more humble.The people of Assisi, of course, claim him as their own saint.

Our very long drive to Assisi in the Appenines was very picturesque - such beautiful countryside with many little villages nestled into the hills and mountains. Assisi was built on a very steep hill, and our coach was only permitted to park outside the city walls. It was a very hot sunny day, and everyone set off at their usual fast pace up the very steep lanes to our hotel, so I am afraid that very soon I had an asthma attack as I tried to carry my baggage up there. (Our suitcases were taken up by a small van.) Some of our group immediately swung into action to help me, carrying my very heavy backpack and other bag for me, and slowing their pace so I could keep up. I was immensely grateful to them and thought - how much they were emulating St Francis, relieving someone of their burden and showing great kindness.  

Assisi was a beautiful town that somehow conferred great peace and tranquility. We all felt very at home there - you could spend days having a wonderful, restful time, wandering around the charming little shops, admiring the wonderful vistas, eating lovely Italian food and spending time on reflection and renewal.

Our local guide took us into the cathedral where St Francis lies with his four loyal friends in a crypt below the altar. You can go down into the crypt, where there are seats for people to pray or to meditate. What I found extraordinary was that above this cathedral is another cathedral dedicated to the pope of that time. There is a long story behind all that, and also behind why St Francis was hidden beneath the altar (which is related to stealing his body from another city that also laid claim to him), but I do not know enough detail to tell these stories properly. It would be worth investigating them though. 

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos in either cathedral, but I hope the following photos will give you some idea of this lovely town and the surrounding countryside.   

A view of the countryside along the way, taken from the coach.

The entrance archway into the town and the start of the steep climb up to the hotel.

A typical colourful street in Assisi.

View from the hotel balcony.

Another view from the hotel balcony.

Walking into the cathedral, which is under high security. 

A view from the lower level of the cathedral looking up at the higher cathedral.

A view from the balcony outside the upper cathedral. Notice the letter T on the lawn.

A close-up view of the letter T, the signature used by St Francis. 

A delightful sign outside one of the shops - see if you can read it.