Recently we visited the Umbrian town of Assisi. It is well known as the birthplace of Saint Francis who founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1209. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, the environment, merchants and Italy. Francis was never ordained a priest. The order dedicated itself to poverty and spreading the word of God to the people through song and plain language. They taught in the local languages and dialects, not Latin. They were more like christian troubadours.
This is the Basilica di San Francesco which was built in 1226 to honor him after his death. In 2000 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Below is the Basilica di Santa Chiara, the church dedicated to the founder of the order of the Poor Clares. Clare abandoned her life of wealth and privilege to follow St. Francis. The church holds the crucifix that supposedly spoke to St. Francis and lead to his conversion in 1206. It is a beautiful church inside and out and built in a plain Gothic style it has a lovely view of the town and valley.
Here is a view of the town from the courtyard outside Chiara's basilica.
A resting lion outside Chiara's basilica.
A relief on the side of a building in town. It shows Christ, St. Francis and St. Clare. FYI: St Francis of Assisi celebrated Christmas by setting up the first known three-dimensional presepio or crèche in the town of Greccio near Assisi, around 1220. He used real animals to create a living scene so that the worshipers could contemplate the birth of Jesus in a direct way. *
A look at some of the beautiful narrow and twisted streets of Assisi.
Rick's parents enjoying a walk around the shops of Assisi.
Some of the amazing looking sweets on offer in the town. We had a most memorable meal of bruschetta with tartufo (truffles), rabbit, grilled eggplant and the best wine from Montefalcone.
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi#Founding_of_the_Order_of_Friars_Minor
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