'Assisi'

Title: Assisi.

Location: Assisi, Italy.

Tag: okumephuna, assisi, italy.

Copyright: Okumephuna Chukwunwikezarramu.

Story: Assisi is a town in Umbria region of central Italy. A religious and tourist centre, it stands on a hill with an expansive view of the plains below where I actually took this picture from. Although well known in Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages, it owes its modern fame chiefly to St. Francis of Assisi, who was born there in 1182 and died there in 1226. Above his tomb is the basilica of St. Francis—two Gothic churches (both consecrated 1253) decorated with frescoes depicting the life of the saint and other scenes, executed by Cimabue, Giotto, Martini, and others. The basilica was severely damaged in a 1997 earthquake but reopened in 1999 after partial restoration. The Franciscan convent nearby has a valuable library. Other landmarks in Assisi are the Cathedral of San Rufino (begun 1140), the Church of Santa Chiara (1257–65), and a 14th-century castle. In the plain below is the imposing late-Renaissance Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (1569–1679), built around the little chapel of Porziuncola, where St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order. Also nearby is the 15th century Carceri Hermitage and the Convent of San Damiano built in 11 century. I loved Assisi with all my heart due to its quietness, tranquillity and village-like nature and I lived there for about six months. Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.