People know about Italy and its charming scenery, emerald blue seas, mouth-watering gastronomy. But do you really know Italy? This presentation is a tour that takes you into the magnificence of the holy city of Assisi.

1. Assisi
Assisi
Umbria’s Jaw Dropping World Heritage Town

2. Assisi is surely on the endless list of
Italian towns to visit in a lifetime.
It’s the birthplace of St Francis, the
founder of the Franciscan order.
Pilgrims have been coming here
since the 13th century, but you
don’t have to be religious to enjoy
the beauty of this postcard-perfect
town.
The charming town of Assisi isn’t
just home to UNESCO World
Heritage sites, it is a UNESCO
World Heritage site. Its wealth of
tranquillity is enough to send
pilgrims' souls to heaven.

3. Location & how to get th
ere
Assisi is magnificently located on the west of Monte
Subasio in the majestic Umbria. The climate here
remains warm every month of the year, with Assisi's
hottest and sunniest weather between June and
September. Despite the fine summer weather by day,
evening temperatures can drop sharply, a jacket or
jumper will be appreciated for dining or drinking in the
open air.
Location & how to get th
ere
Perugia Assisi Airport (PEG)
This is a small regional airport serving
inter-European flights. It is only a 15
minute taxi ride from the center of Assisi.
Assisi Train Station
It’s located in the Valley down the ancient
hill town of Assisi. To get up into the city
you can take any taxi or public bus.

4. Glorious history
Around 1000BC several Umbrians
settled in the Tiber Valley and in the
region where Assisi is now located.
These settlements were small and
fortified and were later taken over in
450 BC by the Etruscans. The
Romans came in next and several
Roman remains can still be found
in town today, such as walls
(increased in the Middle Ages), the
façade of the Temple of Minerva, the
Amphitheatre, the remains of the
"Forum" and a painted house. As a
Roman colony, Assisi was known as
Asisium. In 1182 Saint Francis was
born. He was the son of one of the
wealthiest merchants of Assisi. He
chose to leave the luxury behind and
he spend his life catering to the poor
and the ill, preaching poverty, peace
and love to all human beings as well
as nature.
Worth seeing
• Rocca Maggiore It’s a massive
14th-century castle that sits at the
tip top of Assisi. From the Rocca
Maggiore visitors can see Perugia
to the North and Assisi below
framed by the long, undulating
hills of Umbria and the forests of
Monte Subasio.
• Basilica of St. Francis It’s the
most famous and probably most
impressive attraction in Assisi, it’s
so massive you can see it from
miles around. The Basilica
Superiore is covered with 28
frescoes by Giotto. Each fresco is
a scene from St Francis' life.
Although completed centuries
ago, the frescoes are still
fabulously vivid.
• Duomo di San Rufino or
simply Assisi Cathedral has a
beautiful, Romanesque façade
featuring three rose windows.
Saint Clare, Saint Francis of
Assisi and several other saints
were baptised in this church.
• Basilica of Santa Chiara It has
a beautiful rose window and gothic
interiors. The construction of the
church began in 1257 and has
mesmerising paintings and frescoes
inside.
• Piazza del Comune in Assisi It
corresponds, in part, to the ancient
Roman Forum, redesigned in the
medieval period. It is one of the
most beautiful squares in the city,
surrounded by architectural
masterpieces such as the Temple of
Minerva and the splendid fountain
of the Three Lions.
• Temple of Minerva The reason
why this church is called ‘temple’ is
because it was constructed upon
the ancient Roman temple
dedicated to Minerva, queen of
wisdom and of peace in the pagan
era.

5. April
Every April Assisi holds the National Antiquarian
Market Show in Piazza del Comune, which garners
much attention for the high quality of works on display.
May
During the first week of
May, Calendimaggio is celebrated,
transforming the city into an old medieval
borgo, with knights and ladies decorated in
flowers and sashes traversing the city.
December
The most magical time of year
here is the Christmas season: :
concerts fill the streets and
churches, nativity scenes set up
in every nook and cranny of the
town. For Christmas shopping
there is the spectacular
Christmas Markets, filled with
artisanal crafts and delicious
market food.
Explore th
e local cuisine
E
v
e
n
t
s
While in Assisi trying the local food is a
must. Cuisine here is basic and simple,
with the local oil, golden and exceptionally
fine, enriching every plate. But above all
Assisi can be proud of its stinchetti and
rocciata.
Stinch
etti
These sweet little treasures are made
with marzipan in the shape of small
leg bones (also called dead man's
bones), and are usually prepared in
early November for All Saints' Day.
Rocciata
Rocciata is a sweet pastry roll
filled with chopped almonds
and walnuts, dried fruit, apple,
sugar and cinnamon.
Wine
A newly created DOC area is concentrated
around Assisi. One of its most intriguing
wines is dry, white Grechetto, Umbria's
best white variety.