Day Trip to Assisi

Tuesday October 20 was another beautiful day.  High of 22C.   Our destination for the day was Assisi, the breathtaking hilltop pilgrimage site famous for the grand Basilica of Saint Francis.  Assisi  is located half way up the slopes of Mt. Subasio, at 425 metres above sea level.

We took the bus to the Perugia Train Station and caught the train to Assisi, a short 30 minute trip.  The Assisi train station is located in a valley.  We then had to catch a shuttle bus to the historic centre on the hill.  It turned out there were a few choices of where to get off the bus.  We got off the bus at the first stop and then decided maybe we should go higher so we jumped back on the bus.  The bus climbed up the hill.  We weren't sure where to get out, but a nice woman on the bus who spoke English suggested we get out at the next stop and that she would show us a beautiful church and then how to head down to the historic city centre.

A photo from the bus heading uphill--- the Grand Basilica of Saint Francis.

We had thought that the woman on the bus was a tour guide as she was wearing a lanyard.  It turned out she was from Slovakia and was a volunteer at one of the churches in Assisi.  She showed us around the San Ruffino Cathedral which is one of her favourites.  She had been hoping to climb the tower at the Cathedral, however it turned out it wasn't open on Tuesday afternoon.

The present 12th-century Romanesque building-designed by master builder Giovanni da Gubbio was erected over earlier sacred structures and was consecrated in 1253 by Pope Innocent IV.  It was remodelled in the 16th century in a late Renaissance style. 

Cathedral of San Rufino- one of the most significant examples of Romanesque architecture in Umbria.

There was plaque stating that Saint Francis in 1181or 1182 and Saint Chiara (Clare) in 1193 had been baptised in the Baptismal font in this church.

Baptismal font

Pope Benedict visited the Baptismal fountain in 2007 and Pope Francis in 2014.

Beautiful ceiling and decoration

Covered archeological ruins in the Church.

There was a memorial dedicated to Carlo Acutis, who was born in London on May 3, 1991 and died in Monza on October 12, 2006.  He was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025.

Another view of the Church on the square

We were very glad we had started our visit at this Church.  The square was very peaceful and we could see the path down to the main part of the historic centre.

Around the corner, there was a bakery and restaurant called Papi.  Alonso and I each got a cornetto - Alonso had pistachio and I had a vegan one.  We ran into the Slovakian woman again and she joined us for a coffee outside in the sun.

The bakery part of Papi

Perfetto-- there was some outdoor seating with a view of the Cathedral.

We headed down narrow quiet streets.

We passed a few restaurants along the way.

Old stone buildings

We took a slight detour to see the Roman Amphiteatre which is located in the upper part of town.  Not much can be seen of the original structure, but the typical elliptical shape is still discernible.  The amphitheatre was built in the first half of the 1st century BC. 

What remains of the Roman amphitheatre 

A photograph on a poster with Israel and Palestine intertwined- done by schoolchildren.  
It is on a Municipal building.

We walked down to Piazza del Comune, the heart of historic Assisi.  We stopped at the Church of Santa Maria supra Minerva (Saint Mary above Minerva) , a 14th century Gothic style Catholic Church built directly inside a remarkably preserved 1st century BC Roman temple facade and columns dedicated to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.

Outside of the Church-- very old columns

Inside the Church

Baroque interior

We saw an interesting deli on the square-- we had been hoping to buy some provisions for dinner at the apartment.

We bought some vacuum packed porchetta and some pecorino cheese for dinner.  It was a lovely store and when we left we saw a plaque from Rick Steves recommending the bottega and its helpful owner.  

At one end of the Piazza.

We decided to get a late lunch at Keramos which was also located on the Piazza.  We ate outside.

Doorway into restaurant

We shared a chicken and tomato sandwich

Great poster inside the resto

We passed the entrance to a museum with remains of a Roman forum (end of II century BC)--
we didn't go in.

More arches

Fading frescoes on the walls

Plaque said : Casa di Ospitalita 'Maria Immacolata'.  
Suore Francescane Missionarie di Assisi (Del Giglio). (Hospitality House- Mary Immaculate -Franciscan nuns, missionaries of Assisi (of the Lily).

We then headed to the Basilica of Saint Francis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major pilgrimage destination in Umbria.  Saint Francis of Assisi (born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, c. 1181-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar, poet and mystic who founded the Franciscan religious orders.   Francis was canonized in 1228 by Pope Gregory IX; he is the patron saint of Italy (along with St. Catherine of Sienna),  animals, and ecology.  

Beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis on the hill

Views from the Basilica

Porticoes on the lower level.

Poster for the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis' Death.  1226-2026!

  There are a lot of celebratory events taking place to commemorate this milestone.

View back--- Pax (Peace) on the grass

Sala Stampa Sacro Convento

We walked up to the Basilica to see the inside.  It turned out there was a service in progress.

A service was underway.

This section had a tour in progress. 

Beautiful frescoes

We went downstairs to the Crypt of Saint Francis.  He rests in a stone tomb above the alter.  On the surrounding walls, Francis' early companions are buried.

We wandered around the grounds a bit more and then caught the bus heading back to the Assisi train station.

View from the bus heading to the Assisi train station.

We took the bus back to our apartment from the Perugia train station. Alonso made dinner with the porchetta we had purchased in Assisi, green beans and potatoes.

Cheers!!