Assisi

Assisi is the famous city of San Francesco, symbol of the peace around the world. The city was one of the ancient Umbrian centers, fighting with the nearby Etruscan cities; it was Roman municipium named "Asisium". Infact, there are monuments of that period such as the "Temple of Minerva", the ruins of the "Amphitheatre" and of the "Theatre". The city was a Free Town during the XII century, and it was in this period (1182) that Giovanni di Bernardone (San Francesco) was born. He influenced life, religion and culture of Assisi and later of the entire world. At the beginning of the XVI century Assisi was included in the Papal State until it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy (1860). Things to see - Basilica of St. Francis - Basilica of St. Chiara - St. Damiano Church - Civic Museum and Roman Forum, with Roman and Etruscan objects - Temple of Minerva and St. Maria Sopraminerva Church - Rocca Maggiore - Cathedral of San Rufino - S. Maria Maggiore Church - Palace of the Podestà - Priors' Palace - Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels built around the "Porziuncola" Events - PROCESSION OFTHE DEAD CHRIST (Holy Week) - ANTIQUE FAIR AND MARKET (April-May) - CALENDIMAGGIO (first Thursday of May) - FESTIVAL OF THE VOTO (June 22nd) - FESTIVAL OF S. RUFINO AND S. CHIARA (August 11th -12th) - FESTIVAL OF ST. FRANCIS (October 3rd-4th)