Assisi

Assisi is an Italian town in the province of Perigia. It was the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order; St. Clare, the founder of the Poor Clares; and Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi is located in Assisi and was built immediately after the canonization of St. Francis.

The Basilica of Santa Chiara (St Clare) with its rose windows and simple Gothic interior contains the tomb of St. Clare and 13th century frescoes and paintings.

The town contains numerous churches and also two medieval castles. The larger, called Rocca Maggiore, is a massive presence meant to intimidate. It was built in 1367 and added to by Popes Pius II and Paul III. The smaller castle was built earlier, in the Roman era. Only part of the small tower is still standing today, and only a small portion of it is open to the public.

End Notes:
“Assisi”. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 24 July 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Assisi&oldid=303849056>