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Italiano (Italian)
ASSISI is a lovely spiritual town situated about 30 miles from Todi and perched on a hill at the very foot of the Subasio Mountain. Assisi was taken over by the Romans in the 1st century BC and became a rich colony located along the famous Roman road, Via Flaminia.
In the 12th century, Assisi gave birth to one of the most popular and beloved saints ever: St. Francis. Founder of the Franciscan order, canonized in 1228, and officially chosen as Patron Saint of Italy in 1939, St. Francis is considered among the most venerated saints throughout the world. Every corner, house, church in Assisi speaks about him and his charismatic life, poor in possessions but rich in charitable works.
Apart from St. Francis, the town offers many sites of interest including Roman remains, beautiful views and amazing art works!
We estimate that to fully explore Assisi, you should have at least 2 days!
CLASSIC TOUR (2 hours ) *
-Meet the guide at the parking lot of Piazza San Giovanni Paolo II ( pay lot, close to the Basilica of St. Francis )
– Enter the city through the Porta San Francesco, northern entrance to the medieval town
– Visit the Basilica of St. Francis**, mother church of the Franciscan movement and one of the most popular basilicas all over the world. Walking through the two overlapping basilicas, you can admire priceless artworks such as the iconic cycle of frescoes by Giotto. The relics of St. Francis are still preserved in the crypt.
– Walk along Via San Francesco and through the medieval city center to reach the Piazza del Comune, where you can admire the two Municipal Buildings and the Temple of Minerva.
– Visit the New Church, entirely financed by the King of Spain in 1616, which incorporates the remaining portions of the family home of St. Francis.
– A few steps from Piazza del Comune you can enter and visit the Basilica of St. Clare, a lovely church dedicated to the first courageous female follower of St. Francis and founder of the Poor Clares.
– Optional: with more time at your disposal, you could also visit the Cathedral of St. Rufinus, with its elegant Romanesque façade. Saint Rufinus is surprisingly the patron saint of Assisi!
* The duration of the tour is indicative: depending on your schedule, we can tailor the tour to your needs
** Entrance fee to the Basilica and earphones rental €3 per person
MY RATES: €150 for the classic tour up to 10 people. For larger groups please contact Elisa for a customized price
The upper part of the town, as seen from the medieval fortress
CLASSIC TOUR and a bite of Roman Assisi (2,5 hours)*
- Meet the guide at Piazza Matteotti parking lot ( in the upper part of Assisi )
- Take a walk through the Saint Rufinus medieval district, built on the remains of the Roman Theater. The theater gave shape to the district and remains of the structure are still visible inside private houses and gardens.
- Short visit to the Cathedral of St. Rufinus
- Walking down through pretty medieval alleys, you can get to the Basilica of St. Clare
- A few steps from the basilica you will admire the New Church, which incorporates the remaining portions of the family home of St. Francis.
- Enjoy the Piazza del Comune with the two Municipal Buildings and the Minerva Temple
- Walk about 15 minutes through the medieval city center to reach the Basilica of St. Francis
* The duration of the tour is indicative: depending on your schedule, we can tailor the tour to your needs
** Entrance fee to the Basilica and earphones rental €3 per person
MY RATES: €150 for the classic tour up to 10 people. For larger groups please contact Elisa for a customized price
TOUR “A DAY IN ASSISI” (5 hours)
-MORNING: same program as the Classic Tour
– LUNCH
-AFTERNOON *:
-Visit of SAN DAMIANO, once the monastery of Santa Chiara and the place where the wooden crucifix spoke to Saint Francis to guide him towards his real vocation.
– Visit of the EREMO DELLE CARCERI, an ancient convent surrounded by the greenery of Mount Subasio and erected on the same site where Francis and his brothers went to retire in meditation.
* Due to the very narrow roads, these sites are accessible only by car or taxi-buses which can be booked in advance or on site, depending on availability.
The convent of San Damiano is also accessible on foot, but we recommend this route only to people able to walk well (steep road).
MY RATES: €320 for the classic tour up to 10 people. For larger groups please contact Elisa for a customized price (cost of taxi not included)
