In the Footsteps of St Francis

we're offffff!

We set off for Assisi after the countless requests from Francesco who went there in spring with the school camp and is eager to go back and show us all the beauties of the place. in order to surprise him, very successfully!, we hide all the preparations and take him to the main square where the gentleman from the hotel Posta where he stayed and where we also found room is waiting for us! After the first moments of emotion and bewilderment we take possession of our rooms which have a spectacular view over the valley below. There's a lot of excitement around because it's the day of the Pardon and many have come to Assisi for this, that is, to receive a plenary indulgence for their sins. francesco acts as our guide and takes us to the church built on the birthplace of St. Francis and to the church of Santa Chiara.

since the last time I was here, several years ago, a great deal of restoration has been done, all aimed at maintaining the atmosphere of time stood still, of the medieval era, while offering functionality and maximum usability. the shops are beautiful and we immediately buy the tau with the cord, the cross of St. Francis, which appears everywhere here.

giotto and saint francis

we devote ourselves to the basilica of St. Francis which is always astonishment and wonder, even after you've seen it so many times, especially for a Giotto fanatic like me! all around there's an atmosphere of religiosity and mysticism, although there's no shortage of fanatics and false prophets, always present in the most important places of worship (we who live near St. Peter's know something about it...) the afternoon is for the Rocca Maggiore: what an effort to get there! but what a marvelous panorama you enjoy from here!

gubbio and the wolf

we enjoy the crisp morning air and the marvelous view from our little balcony once more, then we get moving again to reach Gubbio. compared to Assisi it's less touristy and commercial, but it always has its ancient flavor, its medieval alleys, its market under the arcades, its warm colors... we look for the tomb of the wolf, but they tell us it's a bit outside the town... on the other hand we find the location of Don Matteo and we go wild with photos, by the way in front there's a nice little square with fountains that Tommaso and Francesco really enjoy. we return to Rome under a scorching sun crossing yellow sunflower fields and green shady hills...