Probably built upon Roman foundations and later devastated by the Goths in the 6th-century and later by the Lombards (6th-8th centuries), the ancient names of Deruta (Ruto, Ruta, Rupta, Direpta Diruta) all give testament to the “breaking down” or destruction and ruin of of this strategic site. Perched on a hill not far south of…
As you exit the upper level of the Basilica di San Francesco, one of the most important sacred and artistic sites in all of Italy, note the aperture in the 13th-century wall on your left. After your explorations of the 10,000 square meters of medieval fresco splendor in the Basilica, immerse yourself in the natural…
Yes, it IS grandiose the 16th-century Franciscan Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli rising up majestically on the plain below Assisi. At first site, one wonders about the reaction of St. Francis, Il Poverello (“the Little Poor Man”) had he ever seen the massive Papal basilica built over his beloved tiny hut-like chapel Porziuncola (“the Little Portion”) and the…
In one of the twenty-eight late 13th-century frescoes in the Basilica Superiore di San Francesco recounting the life of St. Francis, San Francesco prays before a Byzantine crucifix in a rundown church asking the crucified Christ, “Lord, what do you wish from me?” Francesco’s open hands are perhaps a gesture of astonishment as he hears…
Assisi spreads out serenely on the hill backdropping the Assisi’s War Cemetery where over nine hundred white tombstones stand stalwartly in straight, evenly- spaced rows. like the rows of the proud soldiers buried there who had once marched straight and tall, heads high, behind their commanders. Initially known as the “British Empire Military Cemetery,” the…
At over 2500 feet above sea level on the wooded slopes of Mount Subasio backdropping Assisi… …the retreat of San Francesco, Eremo delle Carceri – called “the Hermitage” – remains a silent place of retreat and seclusion. As of September, a Tuscan Franciscan, Father Simone, has served as padre guardiano (“father custodian” – that is, the…
Esteemed biographer of Assisi’s San Francesco, Paul Sabatier, once wrote, “It seems that St. Francis had a special affection for Narni and the surrounding towns.” His first sojourn in the town probably occurred between 1209 and 1210 on his return from Rome after having received from Pope Innocent III an oral approval of his order…
During the late 9th to early 10th century, Narni was both a stronghold of, and threatened by, the Saracens – the appellation in the Middle Ages for Muslim Arabs – as was much of central Italy: As of the 11th century, Narni began to increase in wealth and power, opposing Papal dominance in the early…
The Umbrian medieval hill town of Narni hides countless wonders and a visit there should include the discovery of them. You can start as soon as you enter the town: off the central Piazza Garibaldi, head up towards the Cattedrale di San Giovenale leaning into the hillside. Take time to unearth all the many treasures of the Cathedral…
Perched on a rocky outcrop in southern Umbria, Narni captivates many a visitor nowadays. As of 299 B.C., the Romans had their eye on it, too: they were distinctly aware of the strategic importance of Nequinum, inhabited by the Osc0-Umbri, an Italic tribe. Afterconquering Neq uinum, the Romans named the colony “Narnia” for the Nahar, the river serpentining below.…