Italian Holiday 2007 - Assisi

Our "Grand Day Out" was a trip to Assisi the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in the town in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Clares.

The main church in the city is the Basilica of St. Francis. It is stunning to look at from any angle and the artworks inside were just marvellous. Words (and pictures) do not do justice to the place. You have to visit.

This is a view form the front of the basilica. This photo doesn't catch the beautiful rose pink of the stone. Nor does it show the stone carving which was splendid too.

In the main square is the "Tempio di Minerva" - temple of Minerva. This was built by the Romans in the first century A.D. It is now now transformed into the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva.

The second church in Assisi is the Cathedral of San Rufino (St. Rufinus), with a Romanesque façade with three rose windows and a 16th‑century interior. I liked this rose window with the carved figures supporting it.

The carved door was rather fine too. You can make out the pale pink stone in this photo.

And just outside the walls was this prettily decorated wall. We'll certainly go back to Assisi if we get the opportunity.