City of Saint Francis

Many churches await your discovery, but the best location to visit would be the Rocca Maggiore. A castle situated at the peak of the hill atop which Assisi sits, one gets a great view of Umbria. The castle itself is worth at least an hour of exploration.

Quick Tips:

Prepare a dinner basket and sit on the grassy plains right next to the Rocca Maggiore. Fantastic unparalleled sunsets await the adventurous.

Best Way To Get Around:

Instead of getting a bus pass, just get two tickets. One to get you to the centre, and the other to get you down. Assisi is much smaller than nearby Perugia, and armed with a map, you will be able to walk everywhere from the centre.

Great views can be had from outside Rocca Maggiore. Plan to go on a cool day so that your views will not be hindered by the frequent misting of the Umbrian countryside.

As Assisi is a very small town, it is possible to visit all the sites in one day. The best approach is to begin with St Francis, then walk east along the main street, and you will visit at least three other main churches. Then after Santa Chiara, head northwards towards Rocca Maggiore (you won't miss it, it's always there when you look up towards the sky). Take time to appreciate the ancient architecture, and numerous arches.

A must see, at the top of every tourist's wish list for Assisi, the Basilica is an architectural triumph. Be sure to follow the long queues that go down to the crypt... to catch a quick glimpse of the tomb of St Francis. And keep very quiet! Free entry.

My favorite exploration in Assisi. This ancient castle was a gem of my travels in Umbria. Inside, one feels part of Microsoft's Age of Empires... be sure to squeeze though the long, dark, archer's passage, and peek through the archer holes at the rolling hills beyond. And be sure to climb up the highest point of the castle for a commanding view of Assisi and Umbria. Unforgettable. 2000 lire for students, 3000 lire others.

As you approach the Castle, to the right is a small carpark. Do not dismiss it as nothing, instead follow the road downhill and you will walk by a cliff. Step across the iron grills (you won't fall down!) to enjoy a captivating view of Umbria... complete with quaint palaces with well kept gardens, rows and rows of olive bushes, etc! And also, a look at the back of the castle, something that you won't get to see from any other angle.

Mid way between St Francis and Rocca Maggiore, you will walk past San Rufino. Why not grab a picture and perhaps a gelato, as you appreciate the tower clock that no longer works, but is instead hauntingly stopped.

Directly in front of St Francis, follow a long straight path towards the west, and you will end up at the Basilica of Santa Chiara. In the front of the church there's a fountain around which I had my lunch. If you prefer to enjoy a sweeping panorama of the Umbrian countryside, there's a whole row of seats that afford such a view. Just walk ten steps from the fountain towards the edge of the cliff. You won't miss it.

Between St Francis and Santa Chiara, along the same straight path, you will walk by the Tempio di Minerva. Grab a few great shots standing between the imposing columns.

Assisi is so well known for its churches, especially that of Saint Francis . . . but also for its footwear! I have been frequenting this store and thought that I might as well let the cat out of the bag on this great find!

Brunelli Angelo & C. SAS Shoe Shop
Via A. Fortini 18
Assisi, ITALY
Tele: +039.075.1234567

Keep walking along the single uphill street perpendicular to the Church of St Francis, after about 800m you will arrive at this shoe store. The owner is very friendly and his son speaks English. All prices are negotiable and the styles are always in fashion. Here you get Milanese fashion at Roman prices . . . whatever that might mean! As a tip: see what his son wears -- that guy's never wrong!