A Day in Assisi Tour

In the heart of the Umbrian Apennines, on the slope of Mount Subasio is the medieval town of Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Together they founded the franciscan movement, beloved all over the world for its hospitals and missions. At the time of its construction, in the first half of the thirteenth century, Saint Francis Basilica was the finest gothic church of the country. It's colourful fresco-paintings - works by Italian masters such as Giotto, Simone Martini and Lorenzetti, are in an astounding state of conservation. After a half day walking tour in the old town visiting the major Basilicas, we stop for a brief lunch in a local trattoria. Our journey continues to visit the hermitage, a tiny monastery built in the forest on Saint Francis' grotto at the time of San Bernardino, and finally to the little Porziuncola chapel in the valley, the cradle of the Minor Fryers, inside the huge Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels.