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Assisi
The town of Assisi in the center of Italy’s “Great Heart” Umbria region is the known birthplace of the Christian saint St. Francis, the father of the Franciscan religious order.
Today, pilgrims come from many countries to the Assisi East West Retreat Center in Piazza San Rufino in the spirit of St. Francis to sit and be in peace, especially the saint’s day in October.
With its glorious ancient past and its reputation today as a world center for peace, Assisi has seen conflict from the Etruscans and Romans who had in fact named the town “Asisium,” with only the ruins of the Temple of Minerva" and Amphitheatre left to tell the tale of conquest.
The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St. Francis) is a famed world heritage site acknowledged by the UNESCO, as well as its monastary, Il Sacro Convento. Frescoes line its hallowed halls from medieval masters such as Cimabue and Giotto, while the famous scenes of the life of St. Francis tell his story through the art that line its walls.
Two castles can be found in Assisi, with the larger one called Rocca Maggiore built by Cardinal Albornoz in the 14th Century. Visitors are encouraged to explore these works of ancient hands as well as the heritage sites of Santa Maria Maggiore, the oldest existing church in the city, the Romanesque Cathedral of San Rufino (St. Rufinus), and the Gothic Basilica of Santa Chiara (St Clare) which houses the tomb of the saint.
The culture of Assisi can be mainly seen in its needle-work that has been uniquely preserved and practiced since the Middle Ages. This traditional embroidery has since been known as the “Assisi stitch.” Many shops in the area offer guests the opportunity to see this medieval tradition come alive by the women of Assisi.
Desserts accompany such traditions among the town folk where during the fall months special cakes with almonds called "fave dei morti" and the "rocciata" with raisins, nuts are eaten with traditional sweet wines like the “vinsanto.”
