A precious medieval jewel, set against a lovely natural backdrop, Assisi can be considered, more than any other Umbrian town, as the symbol of the religious and mystical soul of the region.

It was here that St. Francis was born and founded his new religious order; it was here too that St. Clare lived and worked. The whole town is permeated with Franciscan memories and hits most significant monuments are those built to commemorate its saints. Famous artists, first and foremost Giotto, have embellished its churches.

A gentle, quiet and intimate atmosphere reigns in the town. To this is added the unforgettable impression made by its medieval appearance, its charming surrounding landscape, its houses built out of the pink stone of Subasio. Originally an Umbrian town, it was conquered by the Romans and rose to considerable importance during Roman times, as testified by remains still visible in the town. Devasted during the barbarian invasions, Assisi later became a free city-state and fought to defend its independence, especially against the neighbouring town of Perugia.

After the death of the Saint in 1226, the town was embellished with magnificent churches and great pictorial masterpieces like those of Giotto. During the Renaissance Assisi was ruled by various lords before becoming part of the Papal States.

Today the town has become one of the main tourist centres not only of Umbria but of the whole of Italy. There are two main reasons for this: firstly, its attractions in the architectural and artistic field, represented in particular by the Basilica of Saint Francis and secondly and just as important, its significance for Christians as a result of the many religious and cultural events linked to the commemoration of the town’s great Saints, Francis and Clare.