Assisi Things to Do

Next to the Municipal Tower stands the Temple of Minerva which was re-converted into the Church of S. Maria sopra Minerva. The temple was re-converted in the first half of the 16th century, with Baroque transformations added at later date.
The construction is a superb example of a temple of the Augustan period (1C B.C.). Worthy of note is the beautiful pronaos, formed by six fluted columns, which rise up from a flight of steps, with Corinthian capitals supporting a triangular tympanum.

This beautiful fountain, erected in the year 1570, is situated next to Portico del Monte Frumentario and it is worthy of your attention.
The running water from the fountain is very cold and drinkable.
In the hot summer days, as it was during my visit to Assisi, you can stop here and refresh yourself.

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Names: Duomo di San Rufino; Assisi Cathedral
Type of site: Cathedral
Location: Piazza San Rufino, Assisi, Italy
Museo: 075-812-712 or if no answer 347-874-0224
Hours: Church, daily 7am-noon and 2pm-sunset. Crypt and Museo Capitolare, Thurs-Tues: Mar 16-Oct 15 daily 10am-1 and 3-6pm (Aug 10am-6pm); Oct 16-Mar 15 10am-1pm and 2:30-5:30pm
Cost: Free admission to the church; crypt and Museo della Cattedrale, 3€ ($3.45) adults, 2.50€ ($2.90) ages 12-18 and seniors over 60

--- from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/assisi-duomo-di-san-rufino.htm

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The basilica of San Fransisco at Assisi, built at the birth place of Saint Francis(1182-1266), is one of the important sites of Christianity.
The short period of its construction, rare for a church of this size, is often explained as a measure of the great love that the people of the time had for San Francesco. By the mid 1400's pilgrims were flocking to Assisi from all parts of Europe and today the walled medieval town and its grand basilica are among the most visited of Christian shrines. The author, during his extensive travels to the sacred sites of the world, has frequently perceived that certain places have a distinct feeling, presence, or energy of peace. Assisi is one of these places. The entire town and particularly the Basilica have a definite atmosphere of peacefulness that awakens and stimulates that same characteristic in the human heart. In this regard it is perhaps more fitting to call such sacred sites empowerment places rather than power places. The basilica of San Francesco is decorated with beautiful frescoes (13th-14th century). In the first chapel of the lower church remarkable scenes from the life of St Francesco by Giotto and Simone Martini can be seen. In the choir of the upper church and in the transepts there are frescoes by Cimabue, in the nave 28 scenes from the life of St Francesco by Giotto and his pupils. In the crypt, added in 1818 and enlarged in 1925-32 can be seen a stone sarcophagus, containing the saint's remains. In the large cloister is the treasury.

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The best way to discover a place is to walk. Assisi is very rewarding to the walker because there is a marvelous scene or view around every corner. There are cute tourist shops, charming restaurants, gelato stops, benches to rest, steps to magic places, churches, a chateau and a very lively city that continues life as though the tourist was not there.

Click on the photo to see some other views.

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St. Francis of Assisi is famous and many people journey to Assisi to visit the Basilica there. It is well worth the trip whether for religous or artistic reasons . . . or simply for sightseeing. The church itself is amazing since the inside is covered with frescoes. The views from the basilica are truly wonderful since the church is perched on top of the highest hill in the area. You can see for miles.

The official web site is mostly in Italian but if you scan through it, there are some English links and schedules that are either in English or easily readable in Italian. http://www.sanfrancescoassisi.org/APPUNTAMENTI.htm

The Chiesa Nuova, or New Church, was built in 1615 in the Renaissance style. It's in the shape of a Greek cross, reflecting the later influences that had come to Italy from elsewhere in the Mediterranean world. It was here, according to local legend, that St Francis' family once resided. Here, his father owned and managed a clothing store, and the young Francis helped out. Eventually, after Francis gave up the business and became a friar, his father disinherited him.

The church and monastery contain a museum with many works of art from the Renaissance and a library with manuscripts from this period.

In the 8th century, a small church was built here in honor of the first Bishop of Assisi, St Rufino, who was martyred in 238. In the 11th century, Clarissimo, another Bishop of Assisi, ordered a new cathedral built on this site. This is where St Francis began his preaching.

This great cathedral has seen some renovations over the years, notably Galeazzo Alessi's new interior in the 16th century. It is one of Umbria's best examples of Romanesque architecture.