La Rocca di Narni: Papal Power Reigns
During the late 9th to early 10th century, Narni was both a stronghold of, and threatened by, the Saracens –... View article
Anne's Blog / Festivals
Narni’s Cathedral of San Giovenale: a Setting of Splendor
In Italy, the patron saints of cities, towns and villages are feted with joy, emotion, grande passione and splendid celebratory... View article
Assisi’s Good Friday Morning Procession: Remembered
I hadn’t missed Assisi’s evocative morning Good Friday procession in years. Until last year, due to COVID restrictions. And, ahimè... View article
Gubbio’s Good Friday: Living Medieval Street Theater
Easter liturgies have incorporated early forms of performances and role-playing – varying from short text passages to long presentations –... View article
Umbria’s Pasquarelle: Singing in the Epiphany
January can be icy cold in Umbria but a month of warmth, too: the warmth of the locals celebrating January... View article
Assisi’s Living Crib Scenes: Remembering a “Profound and Mysterious Event”
For many in Umbria, Christmastime is inextricably linked to visits to the presepi viventi (“living crib scenes”) of medieval villages surrounding Assisi.... View article
Christmas Links: Greccio and Assisi
For periods of contemplation, meditation and restoration ,St. Francis of Assisi often withdrew to various retreats – grottoes, caves, primitive... View article
Assisi’s Christmas Illumination
There’s usually a life-sized creche scene on the lawn in front of Assisi’s majestic Basilica di San Francesco, right across... View article
From Naples to Milan: Christmas Solidarity in Italy
Glorious Naples is not only the Italian capital of pizza but also of espresso; in fact, here in Umbria if... View article
Winter Jazz in Medieval Orvieto: Usually
Even “freddo polare” (“polar cold” – which for Italy means anything below freezing temperature) – never deters jazz appassionati from heading to... View article
Agenzia Viaggi Stoppini in Assisi handles all technical support for my guided visits (bus transportation, organization of meals, etc)