Assisi Wednesday 30 August 2017

This morning had our breakfast at the hotel and then set off for our day at Assisi.  The first step to get down to the railway station from the city centre is what is called an inclined elevator, there are also escalators.  Once at this point one purchases a mini metro ticket to ride the mini metro, it is tiny, efficient, frequent and much fun, little kids would love it. Once down it heads straight to the railway station.  Perugia Railway Station does need a few improvements, one has to lug ones case up and down stairs, it could be so easily remedied with a level crossing built safely of course at the end of the station, it would not cost a fortune and with a minor clean and tidy up of the station which is quite pretty really, it could be safely done and would make an enormous difference.  This would make it easier for wheelchair access, pram access.

We caught our 10.20 to Assisi which took about 25 mins then from Assisi Station we caught the Line C bus which took us to the walled city of Assisi where Basilica di S. Francesco stands.

I have taken this from my little booklet The Basilica of Saint Francis.

Probably no city in Christendom has been thoroughly identified with its saint as Assisi has been identified with Saint Francis.  Through the centuries Assisi has been described by an impressive array of authors as, ‘One of the most holy cities of our western world;’ ‘The town at whose feet everything bad dies;’  A citadel of the spirit;’ ‘A city of light;’ ‘A particle of paradise.’ Johannes Jorgensen, an early biographer, and a long time local resident, said that in Assisi, he ‘sat at Francis’ feet and entered heaven’.

St Francis of Assisi died on the evening of 3 October 1226. Two years after his death, 30 March 1228, Brother Elias of Assisi, Francis’ administrative successor, in the name of Pope Gregory IX, received a piece of land from Simon Pucciarelli, on which to build a fitting oratory for the blessed boy of the holy man.  On May 25, 1230,the body of the saint was transferred from his temporary resting place to the newly built church. 

Sam and I entered the bottom part of the Basilica, there was a priest so I asked him if he would bless a Rosary I had purchased at Sacre Coeur in Paris for my aunt, he did not understand me of course so I showed him what I would like him to do he was delightful and blessed it for me then directed me to go down to St Francis’ resting place, what a special moment.  The entire place did have that feeling you were in a very special place indeed. 

Sam and I continued on our journey walked thru the whole town and then back down to catch our bus back to the station. I feel very privileged indeed to have been able to go and see these places I have known about since a child, we learned so much about St Francis of Assisi. 

We did another walk thru town here tonight, found a Laundromat to do our weekly wash tomorrow, had some dinner, just walking down through the walled city to see the walls the Etruscans built, out of this world really. 

There really are no words to describe these places. Sam said Sabine you seem to find plenty.  I will post this tomorrow.  I do all my blogs in word then post them with photos etc.   Sabine and Sam  

The mini Metro cars

The view from the men's toilet at Basilica of St Francis