Let’s start this fantastic journey by driving North towards Assisi
Saint Mary of the Angels // We will get there at 09.30 am. Situated in the plain at the foot of the hill of Assisi, The basilica was constructed in the Mannerist style between 1569 and 1679 enclosing the 9th century little church, the Porziuncola, the most sacred place for the Franciscans. It was here that the young Francis of Assisi understood his vocation and renounced the world in order to live in poverty among the poor and thus started the Franciscan movement. You will spend in here around 30 minutes.
Church of Saint Damian // Back on the van and over to the top of the hill where you will visit this spectacular Church. According to tradition, it is connected with Saint Francis’ encounter with Christ. In 1205 he had been praying at Saint Damian which at the time was a very run down building. Saint Francis saw the figure of Christ crucified come alive and say to him, “Francis, don’t you see my house is crumbling apart? “ It was the first monastery of the Order of Saint Clare, where Saint Clare built her community. You will spend in here about 30 minutes
Basilica of St Clair // Driving along the slope of the hill of Assisi you will enter the walled town and approach it 10 minutes. This Basilica is a 13th-century church that houses the relics of St. Clare, friend and protégé of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as the miraculous crucifix that spoke to Francis. You will need here about 20 minutes.
Basilica of St Francis is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor, commonly known as the Franciscan Order. The basilica is one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy. With its accompanying friary, Sacro Convento, the basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church, and a crypt where the remains of the saint are interred. The life of Saint Francis can be found and experienced right in here. You will spend here around 45 minutes.
Time for lunch You will leave Assisi at around 01.45 pm
You will reach Orvieto from Assisi at about 03.00 pm. An amazing medieval town of a hill overlooking a wide opened valley
Cathedral of Orvieto was constructed under the orders of Pope Urban IV to commemorate and provide a suitable home for the Corporal of Bolsena, a miracle which is said to have occurred in 1263 in the nearby town of Bolsena, when a traveling priest who had doubts about the truth of transubstantiation found that his Host was bleeding so much that it stained the altar cloth. The cloth is now stored in the Chapel of the Corporal inside the cathedral. You will spend in here about 30 minutes. You will leave Orvieto at around 04.30 pm and reach Rome at 6pm.
