Assisi was included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in 2000 due the key role played by S. Francescis‘ places in our history. This wonderful journey cannot but begin from the Franciscan site par excellence, the Basilica of Saint Francis, gracefully laid on an upland east of the city called Colle Paradiso, literally meaning Paradise Hill. A monumental colossus including three churches, one above the other, and the Holy Friary (Sacro Convento), with its 53 majestic bearing arches. Its little sister, the Basilica of Saint Clare, is a must-see if you wish to learn about the history of Saint Francis’ holy protégée. The journey towards the discovery of arguably the two most important characters of Christianity continues in the numerous churches and holy sites across the city. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, where tradition dictates that Saint Francis gave up all his belonging in public, Chiesa Nuova, meaning new church, which was built over the house where the Saint spent his childhood, the Assisi Cathedral (also known as Cattedrale di San Rufino), one of the oldest religious buildings in the city together with the Abbey of St. Peter (Abbazia di San Pietro).
If you wish to retrace the steps of Communal Assisi and its interminable belligerent past, the Castles of Rocca Maggiore and Rocca Minore are going to provide you with a glimpse into those turbulent days and the incredible defence techniques that were developed to protect the city from its enemies. The City Square (Piazza del Comune) together with Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Torre Civica, Palazzo dei Priori, and the Temple of Minerva, is one of the most beautiful and historical sites in the city. Below the square, the most ancestral part of Assisi begins. At the Roman Forum and the archaeological collection you can admire the remains of the pre-Roman period of the city and the secrets of the mysterious Umbrian civilisation. If you’re still longing for more, you can visit the Domus del Lararium and Domus di Sesto Properzio to immerse yourself into the daily and domestic life of the ancient inhabitants.
Also, don’t forget to indulge in an aimless walk through down-town’s paved streets and alleys, you might get lost in some wonderful spots. We suggest the evocative Via Fontebella, Via Bernardo da Quintavalle, which seems to have frozen at the time of the domestic struggles of the Middle Ages, and of course Via S. Francesco – the street that leads to the Basilica – walked for eight centuries by pilgrims from all over the world, overlooked by the exquisite Palazzo del Monte Frumentario.
You could carry on walking outside of the city walls, where the natural and anthropic landscapes create marvellous and unique atmospheres. Going up towards Mount Subasio, you cannot refrain from visiting the Eremo delle Carceri – the temple of Franciscan mysticism –, the centuries-old Abbey of S. Benedetto al Subasio, and the Church of S. Angelo in Panzo. Going downhill you will find the Sanctuary of S. Damiano – where the stories of Francis and Clare cross inextricably – and, proceeding farther down (we suggest taking a bus), you will encounter the majestic Basilica di S. Maria degli Angeli.