20 October ’05, Thursday.
OK, Let's see how good you are...What is this picture of ???
We started off today with a bite to eat then off we went on our hike into Assisi. We still have the rain with us. The first stop when arriving into town was a stop at a shop to buy an umbrella and a hat. The rain was soaking through my coat and hood. We continued our walk to the Basilica of St Francis. As soon as we arrived, Louise and I head off to use the WC. This was the first time, since I arrived, that we had to pay to use the bathroom. It was .50 Euros and it wasn’t all that clean considering that you have to pay. Oh well, what are you going to do? The Basilica is a beautiful church built after the death of St. Francis in the 13th century. The art frescoes are deteriorating, but it is still an absolutely amazing church. We walked through the church and went through the attached museum which contains many church artifacts from the early church. It also contained some beautiful artwork that came from a private collection that was donated to the church. After our walk into town and our brief tour of the church and museum, we were hungry! Across the street we found a restaurant and ate pizza for lunch. The rain has continued off and on, but we have not let it stop us from checking out this beautiful town. After lunch we continued on with our exploration of the Basilica of St Francis. In the basement of the church was the tomb of St Francis as well as some of his friends that were also fellow monks. We continued on our exploration on the town and several other churches including St. Clare’s, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and St. Rufino’s. Mind you during this time we are walking (sometimes still in the rain) up hills, down hills and up stairs. Lots of stairs! The town of Assisi is on a hill! Our last stop was the castle at the top. It was the castle of Rocca Maggiore. After we got up to the top of the hill, we then climbed to top of the castle. Then we walked down a narrow passage to the other side of the castle. It is a good thing I am not claustrophobic! The passage was not very high or wide, but there were occasional holes in the outside wall so you could see out. Once at the top, we had a beautiful view of the countryside and the town. Okay, we are done for the day, but we still have to walk back to the camp site. Granted the first part was down hill. But then it was uphill for the last half. We made it back and relaxed at the camp site with a little wine. Then it was off to another great dinner at the restaurant at the camp site. Tomorrow we are heading for Siena.
OK, Let's see how good you are...What is this picture of ???
We started off today with a bite to eat then off we went on our hike into Assisi. We still have the rain with us. The first stop when arriving into town was a stop at a shop to buy an umbrella and a hat. The rain was soaking through my coat and hood. We continued our walk to the Basilica of St Francis. As soon as we arrived, Louise and I head off to use the WC. This was the first time, since I arrived, that we had to pay to use the bathroom. It was .50 Euros and it wasn’t all that clean considering that you have to pay. Oh well, what are you going to do? The Basilica is a beautiful church built after the death of St. Francis in the 13th century. The art frescoes are deteriorating, but it is still an absolutely amazing church. We walked through the church and went through the attached museum which contains many church artifacts from the early church. It also contained some beautiful artwork that came from a private collection that was donated to the church. After our walk into town and our brief tour of the church and museum, we were hungry! Across the street we found a restaurant and ate pizza for lunch. The rain has continued off and on, but we have not let it stop us from checking out this beautiful town. After lunch we continued on with our exploration of the Basilica of St Francis. In the basement of the church was the tomb of St Francis as well as some of his friends that were also fellow monks. We continued on our exploration on the town and several other churches including St. Clare’s, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and St. Rufino’s. Mind you during this time we are walking (sometimes still in the rain) up hills, down hills and up stairs. Lots of stairs! The town of Assisi is on a hill! Our last stop was the castle at the top. It was the castle of Rocca Maggiore. After we got up to the top of the hill, we then climbed to top of the castle. Then we walked down a narrow passage to the other side of the castle. It is a good thing I am not claustrophobic! The passage was not very high or wide, but there were occasional holes in the outside wall so you could see out. Once at the top, we had a beautiful view of the countryside and the town. Okay, we are done for the day, but we still have to walk back to the camp site. Granted the first part was down hill. But then it was uphill for the last half. We made it back and relaxed at the camp site with a little wine. Then it was off to another great dinner at the restaurant at the camp site. Tomorrow we are heading for Siena.