Today we took the bus into Assisi. We were all very tired but I was still able to enjoy how scenic the drive is, especially as you get into Assisi. I LOVED this visit.
The Basilica di Santa Chiara (Basilica of Saint Clare) and, of course, Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of Saint Francis) are all in Assisi . We had several hours to eat lunch and explore before having a under tour of both basilicas and the parts of Assisi in between.
It actually was not until Matteo mentioned the building in front of us was the monument to Saint Clare that I remembered it was here. Saint Clare founded the Poor Clare nuns… the cloistered order Lisa was in. Walking through the inside as well as seeing the relics (of Clare & Francis) and her tomb was really a special experience for me. Words really fail me here. Even the view as you sit in the square just outside the basilica take your breath away.
With our guide, we walked through the city towards the Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of Saint Francis). The view as you walk (between gaps in buildings) is beautiful.
This basilica, of course, is a a beautiful place. The frescos and windows are beautiful. The frescos were actually restored only four years before. So the color was very vivid! Our guide said the difference was amazing (she has been guiding people through for 18 years). We saw the lower part of the basilica first. Until today, I did not realize it was actually two connected buildings.
UNFORTUNATELY, because German prime minister Angela Merkel was visiting the next day, the upper basilica was CLOSED! This was a huge disappointment. I guess it means that I will need to come back. We did get some beautiful group pictures. Just before dinner we stopped at a little shop and tried cheese, wine and vinegar. Let’s just say.. I spent too much!! The cheese does not need to be refrigerated for 25 days so the vinegars and cheese will still be good! To quote the woman leading our tasting… “It’s an amazing sensation [to dip the Romano cheeses in vinegar].” I AM willing to share these wonderful things with my loved ones when I return… maybe! 🙂
Dinner was setup for and was some nice Antipasti and then a pasta with a nice black truffle sauce. We also had some salad… the first greens that I have seen other than the occasional bit of arugula (or rocket as the Italians call it)… and, my absolute favorite, rosemary potatoes! They were cooked perfectly.
We left and checked into our very nice hotel. Our morning call time Saturday is early because the prime mister visit means that they are closing the roads early and we need to be sure that we are out! Fabulous day! My favorite so far. Despite having had dry little sleep the night before, this was my FAVORITE day by far.