Assisi is a small medieval town of about 25,000 people perched on a hill in Umbria, the heart of Italy. Famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi holds religious, historical, and artistic significance. Periodical exhibits and fairs enrich the visitor's experience .
Getting there
By car Take the A1 freeway and exit at the SS75. Follow the signs to historical Assisi and park in one of the public lots just outside the city walls.
By train You'll have to take a local connection at Terontola (coming from Florence) or Foligno (coming from Rome) to Assisi/Santa Maria degli Angeli. The station is at the bottom of the hill, about three miles from the center of town. Bus line "C" (ASSISI - P.ZZA MATTEOTTI-FS-P.ZZA GARIBALDI) will take you the rest of the way.
Traveling around
Historical Assisi is very small and easily explored on foot. But go slowly, or the hilly streets will put you out of breath before you know it. During the hotter summer months take an occasional rest in one of the cool churches or enjoy an icecream break (or two).
See
Definitely take the time to walk among Assisi's medieval houses and shops. Most of the cobblestone streets and alleys will take you to the basilica of St. Francis. Please be quiet as you visit this multi-level structure as it still is a place of prayer for many. It's a good idea to rent the audio guide to appreciate the artistic and historical significance of this unique church. The walls and ceilings of the upper church are embellished with frescoes of the Giotto school; the lower sanctuary contains the tomb of St. Francis .
Things to do
The basilica of St. Francis, completed in 1253, is only one of many beautiful churches in Assisi. The cathedral of San Rufino, the basilica of Santa Chiara, and the Chiesa Nuova are also worth a visit. Take the time to hike up to the top of the hill above Assisi and explore the castle - "La Rocca" - where Frederick Barbarossa spent his childhood. From here you can overlook the town and the valley below. Visit the tiny church of St. Stefano, go up a few stairs, and look back downwards for the most picturesque spot of this beautiful little town.
The little church of San Damiano is located outside the walls of the city, halfway down the hill. According to the saint's biographers, it was here that St. Francis received his message "to rebuild the church."
Take a guided walking tour of Assisi, Take an escorted walking tour of Assisi with a fluent English-speaking Umbrian-native guide. mail: info@love-umbria.com
Eat
There are several little ice cream and pizza shops. Restaurants vary from affordable to very expensive. Some are very good, some so-so.
Sleep
Ostello della Pace Assisi, (00 39) 075/816767, Via di Valecchie, 177 - 06082 - Assisi
Casa Rosa (self-catering apartments in the country) . Tel:+39 075802322
Hotel Berti is located on Piazza San Pietro . Tel:+39 075813466
Magic Umbria Assisi Phone: +39 0743 420130 mail: info@magic-umbria.com A selection of houses and apartments for holiday rentals.
Grand Hotel Assisi, Grand Hotel Assisi is one of the region's leading hotels and enables guests to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere that it is only possible to find in Assisi, from the splendid summit of its 500 meter-high location.
The Grand Hotel Assisi has 150 rooms and 6 suites.
They are all equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, and telephone with through line for fax and personal computers and a cable link to the hotel's congress centre, allowing guests to watch live broadcasts of conference events filmed by closed circuit television.
Buy
The many shops display a variety of local arts and crafts, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and reproductions of medieval weapons and tools. Embroidery and chocolate manufacuring are also typical of the area. Religious items are best purchased at the gift shop behind the lower level of St. Francis basilica.
Get out
Santa Maria degli Angeli at the bottom of the hill - where the train station is. Visit the Basilica containing the Porziuncola, the tiny stone home of St. Francis and his followers, where the Saint died.
Contact & location
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The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
Assisi is a small medieval town of about 25,000 people perched on a hill in Umbria, the heart of Italy. Famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, Assisi holds religious, historical, and artistic significance. Periodical exhibits and fairs enrich the visitor's experience .
Getting there
By car Take the A1 freeway and exit at the SS75. Follow the signs to historical Assisi and park in one of the public lots just outside the city walls.
By train You'll have to take a local connection at Terontola (coming from Florence) or Foligno (coming from Rome) to Assisi/Santa Maria degli Angeli. The station is at the bottom of the hill, about three miles from the center of town. Bus line "C" (ASSISI - P.ZZA MATTEOTTI-FS-P.ZZA GARIBALDI) will take you the rest of the way.
Traveling around
Historical Assisi is very small and easily explored on foot. But go slowly, or the hilly streets will put you out of breath before you know it. During the hotter summer months take an occasional rest in one of the cool churches or enjoy an icecream break (or two).
See
Definitely take the time to walk among Assisi's medieval houses and shops. Most of the cobblestone streets and alleys will take you to the basilica of St. Francis. Please be quiet as you visit this multi-level structure as it still is a place of prayer for many. It's a good idea to rent the audio guide to appreciate the artistic and historical significance of this unique church. The walls and ceilings of the upper church are embellished with frescoes of the Giotto school; the lower sanctuary contains the tomb of St. Francis .
Things to do
The basilica of St. Francis, completed in 1253, is only one of many beautiful churches in Assisi. The cathedral of San Rufino, the basilica of Santa Chiara, and the Chiesa Nuova are also worth a visit. Take the time to hike up to the top of the hill above Assisi and explore the castle - "La Rocca" - where Frederick Barbarossa spent his childhood. From here you can overlook the town and the valley below. Visit the tiny church of St. Stefano, go up a few stairs, and look back downwards for the most picturesque spot of this beautiful little town. The little church of San Damiano is located outside the walls of the city, halfway down the hill. According to the saint's biographers, it was here that St. Francis received his message "to rebuild the church."
Eat
There are several little ice cream and pizza shops. Restaurants vary from affordable to very expensive. Some are very good, some so-so.
Sleep
Ostello della Pace Assisi , (00 39) 075/816767, Via di Valecchie, 177 - 06082 - Assisi
Casa Rosa (self-catering apartments in the country) . Tel:+39 075802322
Hotel Berti is located on Piazza San Pietro . Tel:+39 075813466
Magic Umbria Assisi Phone: +39 0743 420130 mail: info@magic-umbria.com A selection of houses and apartments for holiday rentals.
Grand Hotel Assisi, Grand Hotel Assisi is one of the region's leading hotels and enables guests to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere that it is only possible to find in Assisi, from the splendid summit of its 500 meter-high location. The Grand Hotel Assisi has 150 rooms and 6 suites. They are all equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, and telephone with through line for fax and personal computers and a cable link to the hotel's congress centre, allowing guests to watch live broadcasts of conference events filmed by closed circuit television.
Buy
The many shops display a variety of local arts and crafts, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics and reproductions of medieval weapons and tools. Embroidery and chocolate manufacuring are also typical of the area. Religious items are best purchased at the gift shop behind the lower level of St. Francis basilica.
Get out
Santa Maria degli Angeli at the bottom of the hill - where the train station is. Visit the Basilica containing the Porziuncola, the tiny stone home of St. Francis and his followers, where the Saint died.
Contact & location
Be the first one to add a review
The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:
name_2923, name_22038, name_22039
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David Cross, CCurzi, Michael McCalpin, Evan Prodromou, Colin Jensen, Simone Bravo and stan holt, InterLangBot
This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at
View full credits