Assisi

On Day 7 - 21 May 2011, we headed to Assisi, one of our optional tours at 30 Euro per person.

Assisi is a town in Italy, in the region of Umbria. It is on the western side of Mt Subasio. It is the birthplace of St Francis. St Francis is most famous for founding (beginning) a religious order of Friars (Brothers) called the Franciscan in 1208. One of St Francis' followers, St Clare was also born in Assisi and founded an order of religious women called the Poor Clares.

After St Francis, and St Clare died, churches were built in their honour. The Church of St Francis, called the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, is famous as his burial place, and is also famous for the fresco paintings on the walls and vaults (ceilings). Many visitors go to Assisi on prilgrimage. Many people also go there to see the artworks. Assisi is a World Heritage Site.

On our way up to Assisi

The lanes of Assisi

Inside the church of Assisi

The Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

The Franciscan monastery, and the bascilica of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization (being made a saint) in 1228, and completed 1253. The church is on three levels, called the Upper Church, the Lower Church and the crypt. St Francis is buried in the crypt.

In the Upper Church are frescos of scenes in the life of St. Francis. All the papers that belonged to the monastery were destroyed so no-one knows who the monks got to paint the frescoes. For many years, when the names of most other painters of that time were forgotten, people thought they must have been done by the famous artists Giotto. Very few art historians think this nowadays. Most art historians think they were done by a group of painters from Rome. Other people think that maybe Giotto planned the paintings and did perhaps one or two of them. Giotto's famous teacher, Cimabue did two enormous frescoes in the upper church, of the "Crucifixion" and "Deposition" (Jesus' body being taken down from the cross). These have been completely ruin by a fire.

 

The Lower Church has frescos by many late-medieval artists. One is a special and "unique" painting by Cimabue. It shows the Madonna and Child with angels and St Francis. Because Cimabue was quite old when he did this picture, people believe that he had seen St Francis and was able to paint a "real likeness" of him, not just an imaginary portrait, like many pictures of medieval saints.

In the lower church are pictures by Giotto, Simone Martini, and Taddeo di Bartolo. One picture that is just as famous as the Cimabue Madonna is the "Madonna of the Sunset". This beautiful fresco by Pietro Lorenzetti has a gold background. When the sun is setting, at certain times of the year, it shines through a door onto the painting and makes it blaze with light.

Pat & Jenny - check out the lovely view & babes :)

Fr Gerald who was our guide

Pat & Diana - yes it's super hot

The whisperer set to listen to our guide

Let's start the tour - can you hear me?

All set to explore the well-preserved medieval town of Assisi

Pat as tall as the water fountain

Lovely

A slice of ham and mushroom pizza at 2.50 Euro

With a given limited time and to explore more, we decided to get a slice of pizza each and sat by the streets and just chill out with people watching.

Jenny with her Pizza

Pat can't wait to sink her teeth into the pizza (guess what at that moment the birds flew by and bird shit on my left shoe. Mmm..did anyone in my family strike 4-D that day...wishful thinking )

One of the churches we pop in - next to the pizza stall

Mother Mary, intercede for us in our prayers - stepping out of a church, used my zoom camera to take this shot. So peaceful.

No matter how tired you are, God is always with us all the time

Heading back to Assisi to purchase rosaries. I fell while walking down the steps in Assisi. Landed on my bump, hurt the left ankle. Didn't know how painful it was till I was about to exit and there was a flight of steps to climb down. Had to hobble a little. I prayed that it would be better.

That night I went back ot the hotel room, found a cold bottled in the refrigerator, just put the bottled against the foot, which swollen and prayed for the lord's healing grace. Am thankful was able to walk the next day. It was ok on the last 2 days on the journey. When I came back Singapore, the foot was bit swollen, hence I had to wear flat shoes. I have receovered.

Bridal couple out for photoshoot as we exited the place