Assisi
Assisi is the Franciscan place par excellence, not only in Umbria and Italy, but all over the world. St. Francis was born in Assisi in 1182; in the place where it is believed that his birthplace was located, today stands the Chiesa Nuova.
It was in Assisi that he was baptized, in the Cathedral of San Rufino;it was in its alleys that he spent his youth dreaming of a future as a valiant knight; it was here, where the CChurch of Santa Maria Maggioreis located today, in the Piazza del Vescovado, that he stripped himself of earthly goods for the love of God and his brothers and sisters. It was still in Assisi, in the Church of San Damiano, that, praying before the crucifix, he received the task of renewing the Church of Christ; it was in the town square that he began his preaching and his work of charity and peace, and it was finally here that he died in 1226. His remains are preserved in the Basilica of St. Francis, but the saint still lives on in every stone of Assisi. We can meet it by walking through its enchanting alleys and visiting the Franciscan places, immersed in a timeless place, a place of peace and goodness.
Assisi is also a place of art and architecture. There are countless works of inestimable value that we can admire: the Basilica of San Francesco with frescoes by Giotto, the Church of Santa Chiara,the Church of San Damiano, the Rocca Maggiore, the Cathedral of San Rufino, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore which houses the relic of the cloak of St. Francis, theHermitage of the Prisons, the Temple of Minerva, the Pinacoteca Civica, the Roman Forum,just to name a few.
Inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, a city at the foot of Assisi, in the greenery of the Umbrian Valley, there is the “Porziuncola”, a small church restored by St. Francis in which in 1209 the saint founded the Order of Friars Minor, entrusting it to the protection of the Virgin Mary.
The Portiuncula is the heart of Franciscanism, the place where Francis discusses the “Rule” of the order with his friars and seeks new life for the preaching of the Gospel in the world.
In the complex of the Basilica, there is also the courtyard of roses. According to the sources, one night Francis, seized by doubt and temptation, rolled around in the brambles of the Rose Garden to test himself and not give in to what could separate him from God and his mission. Upon contact with the saint’s skin, the roses changed into roses without thorns, giving rise to the “Rosa Canina Assisiensis”, which since then continues to bloom only at the Porziuncola.
Assisi offers a variety of cultural, religious, and folkloristic events throughout the year. Here are some of the main events taking place in Assisi:
Assisi relives the Feast of Calendimaggio, whose origins are lost in time, reconnecting with pagan customs that celebrated the return of spring and therefore the renewal of the cycle of life. Born from the sentiment of the ancient Umbrian people, the Calendimaggio event is a hymn to love and the newfound joy of living after the harsh and cold days of winter, between dances, songs, games and celebrations. The event is held on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in May.
On October 4 (Feast of St. Francis) St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, is celebrated, and on August 11 (Feast of St. Clare) St. Clare, foundress of the order of the Poor Clares and companion of St. Francis, is celebrated. Both celebrations include religious ceremonies, processions, and cultural events throughout the city.
During the summer, the Assisi Festival is held, an event that offers classical music concerts, theatrical performances and other artistic performances in various locations around the city. Another important event in Assisi is the Palio di San Rufino, a crossbow shooting competition held at the end of August, in honor of the patron saint of Assisi, San Rufino. The event also includes a historical parade. At the end of September, the Rassegna degli Antichi Sapori, is a food and wine event that celebrates the typical Umbrian cuisine and gives the many visitors the opportunity to come into direct contact with traditional dishes and foods with tastings, markets and culinary workshops. During the Christmas season, Assisi comes alive with Christmas markets, live nativity scenes, concerts and other festive activities. The nativity scene in the Basilica of St. Francis is particularly famous.
These are just some of the events that make Assisi a lively city rich in traditions. Participating in these events provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and experience the spirituality and history of the city.
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