Assisi

Assisi (Latin: Asisium) is a town and episcopal see in Italy in Perugia province, Italy, in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Mt. Subasio. It was the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Clares. Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows of the 19th century was also born here.

According to Italy's 2003 census, the township (comune) numbers 25,600 inhabitants over an area of about 187 km²; the city proper has a population of around 5,500.

Basilica of Saint Francis

The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis) is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery and the lower and upper church (Basilica inferiore e superiore) of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed 1253. The lower church has frescos by renowed late-medieval artists Cimabue and Giotto; in the Upper church are frescos of scenes in the life of St Francis by Giotto and his circle.

In October 1986 and January 2002, Catholic pontiff Pope John Paul II gathered in Assisi with the leaders of the great world confessions to pray for peace.

On September 26, 1997 Assisi was struck by an earthquake which caused four fatalities. The Basilica was badly damaged (part of the vault collapsed, carrying with it a fresco by Cimabue), and was closed for two years for restoration.

Other churches

• Santa Maria Maggiore, (St. Mary the Greater) the earliest extant church
• The Cathedral of San Rufino (St. Rufinus), with a Romanesque façade with three rose windows and a 16th century interior; part of it is built on a Roman cistern.
• Santa Chiara (St Clare) with its massive lateral buttresses, rose window, and simple Gothic interior, begun in 1257, contains the tomb of the saint and 13th-century frescoes and paintings.
• Santa Maria degli Angeli, (St. Mary of the Angels), which houses the Porziuncola.

Other landmarks

The town is dominated by the medieval castle, called "Rocca Maggiore", built by Cardinal Albornoz (1367) and added to by Popes Pius II and Paul III

Culture

Assisi Embroidery is a form of counted-thread embroidery which has been practised in Assisi since the 13th century.

Photo gallery

Assisi 1	Assisi 2	Assisi 3	Assisi Mattonata 1
Assisi Mattonata 2	Assisi Panorama	Assisi San Francesco 1	Assisi San Francesco 2
Assisi San Francesco 3	Assisi S Maria degli Angeli 2	Assisi S Maria degli Angeli