The beauty of Assisi
Assisi’s beauty unfolds in stone streets, olive groves, and the quiet presence of Francis and Clare. This reflective photo-essay traces pilgrim walks, holy sites, and rustic Umbrian food, inviting you to inhabit the town slowly, savour truffles and rocciata, and consider your own sacred journey.
Francis of Assisi prophesised that many would be saved by pilgrimage to Assisi. A plaque on a building on the pilgrim trail between the Portiuncula (St Mary of the Angels) in the lower town and the Basilica in the upper town quotes Francis:
“Be blessed of the Lord, O you holy city, faithful to God, because many souls will be saved through you, and many servants of the Most High will dwell within you, and from you many will be chosen for the eternal kingdom.”
Assisi is in the centre of Italy in the region of Umbria. It is an easy commute from the major cities of Rome (2 hours), Florence (2 hours), Venice (4 hours) and Milan (5 hours).
It is an important historical centre, largely because of St Francis. While most of the town is medieval and a lot of it post-dates Francis, there are Roman remains from 300BC and very old Christian sites. The town converted to Christianity in 238AD.
The built environment of Assisi and the surrounding countryside is stunning. The city was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list in 2000, principally because of the Basilica of San Francesco and its influence on art and architecture but also because of Franciscan spirituality.
There is a lot to see in Assisi but I find the pervading sense of peace and the inspiration to contemplative prayer the most compelling reason to visit.
Assisi has only 30,000 residents but four to five million people visit the city each year. The city is at its best before the day trippers arrive and after they leave. I recommend staying for at least 3 days to make the most of the opportunity to learn about the life of St Francis, St Clare and St Carlo Acutis, venerate their relics and seek their intercession.
There are 4 churches you must visit (Basilica of San Francesco, Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and Portiuncula, Basilica of Santa Chiara, Church of San Damiano) and many others which are worth visiting. The Eremo delle Carceri on Mt Subiaso is a challenging walk but sublimely beautiful, and the pilgrim walk through the valley is the best way to get from the Basilica of St Francis to the Portiuncula. I also like to walk through the olive groves and farmland between San Damiano and the Portiuncula. There are many superb places to eat in Assisi, a thermal spa and shopping options.
Assisi reminds me that sacred travel is not only about where we pray, but also about how attentively we inhabit a place—its streets, its people, and its food. I hope these pictures give you a nudge to visit Assisi on a sacred journey. If you think I can help you with that, please reach out or visit 8 Pilgrims.
Namaste.
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© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
