Assisi
Assisi is a town and episcopal see in the Province of Perugia in the region of Umbria, Italy. Its latin name was Asisium, that in latin language stands for "seated", given to the village for the fact that it lies on a hill, at the bottom of a mountain called "Subasio" (1260 meters a.s.l.). It was the birthplace of St. Francis (Francesco Bernadone), who founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Clares.
Assisi itself has a population of around 5,500 citizens, and its commune around 32,000 citizens and an area of about 187 km².
The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis) is a World Heritage Site. The Franciscan monastery and the lower and upper church (Basilica inferiore e superiore) of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228, and completed 1253. The lower church has frescos by Cimabue and Giotto' in the Upper church are frescos of scenes in the life of St Francis by Giotto and his circle.
In September 1997 Assisi was struck by an earthquake which caused four fatalities. The Basilica was badly damaged (one of its ceiling collapsed), and was closed for two years for restoration.
Other churches:
- S. Maria Maggiore,
- The Cathedral (S. Rufino), has a facade with three rose-windows and a 16th century interior.
- S. Chiara (St Clare) with its massive lateral buttresses, rose-window, and simple Gothic interior, begun in 1257 contains the tomb of the saint and 13th-century frescoes and pictures.
- S. Maria degli Angeli.
The town is dominated by the medieval castle, called "Rocca Maggiore", built by Cardinal Alhornoz (1367) and added by Popes Pius II and Paul III
Assisi Embroidery is a form of counted-thread embroidery which was practised in Assisi from the 13th century and is still practised today.
