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 / Traditions
In Assisi, a 14th Century Holy Thursday Ritual
I dropped in recently at Assisi’s Cathedral of San Rufino: I needed a couple photos. Built in the 12th-century on... View article
Mercato delle Gaite: Medieval Majesty in Bevagna
It all started with a celebration of roast suckling pig, la porchetta. As of the 1970’s, the Sagra della Porchetta had gathered the... View article
In Bevagna, the Curtain Opens on Teatro Torti Splendor
The 13th-century civic building Palazzo dei Consoli, dominating Bevagna’s main square, Piazza Filippo Silvestri……. ….hides a treasure just inside that door... View article
Preci: From the Benedictines to Pork Butchers
Living on a hill overlooking Norcia…. …..the Benedictine monks – affectionately called by all “the Monks of Norcia” – are... 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 to Greccio: On the St. Francis Christmas Trail
Pino and I headed into Latium to the Franciscan sanctuary of Greccio on our first icy cold December day. We... 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
The Orvieto Underground: Hidden Treasures
After you’ve viewed the splendors of the Orvieto Duomo (Cathedral) – taking in the mosaic splendor….. …and sculpted masterpieces on the facade –... View article
Agenzia Viaggi Stoppini in Assisi handles all technical support for my guided visits (bus transportation, organization of meals, etc)