• Home
  • About Carol
  • About us

Luxury Travel Magazine

An unpretentious guide to luxury travel, culture and adventure

  • About Luxury travel
  • Destinations
  • Spas
    • The Spa and Spa Travel
    • Hot Springs Spas and Thermal Baths: Why You Should Visit One
    • Spa Towns in Europe – 8 Reasons You Should Visit
  • Popular Articles
    • Things to Do in Canada
    • Top European Destinations
    • Things to Do in the South of France
    • Travel and Art: Artistic Cities, Art Fairs and Painting Holidays
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Luxury travel blog » Places » Europe » Italy » Visiting Assisi, Italy, and my night with Giotto

Visiting Assisi, Italy, and my night with Giotto

March 17, 2015 by Carol Perehudoff 6 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

When I told my mother I was going to Assisi, a medieval town in Italy, she said that she and my father had gone there on their honeymoon, aka the penniless but thrilling art tour of France and Italy, to see the Giotto frescoes.

“You mean Padua,” I said. “The Giotto frescoes in Padua.”

“Assisi. We spent quite a lot of time there.”

Giotto in Assisi

This is the thing. I didn’t believe my mother, but of course she was right. When it comes to art my mother is always right. I knew about St Francis of Assisi in Assisi, but had never heard of any Giotto painting frescoes there, and that made me even more determined to visit – I just didn’t realize I’d come so close to spending a night with the ghosts of the great painter himself.

Visiting Assisi, view of Umbria from hilltop town

Umbria

Giotto, the Father of the Renaissance

Giotto di Bondone, a painter born in 1266 is considered the Father of the Renaissance. He revolutionized art with his natural figures and individualist expressions that showed the real world as opposed to a stylized version of it.

All that is very lofty and intellectual. The real reason I love Giotto is because of all the earthy tones he uses and the rich ultramarines and because of the slightly rigid compositions that make you feel as if there is a perfect order to the universe and because of all those little putti with wings and gold halos that seem to poke right out of the sky.

Visiting Italy, Giotto fresco

Giotto fresco in Padua

Driving to Assisi, Italy

Since my extremely significant other, Mark, and I were renting a little villa on a hillside in Umbria and were only about an hour away (excluding time taken for wrong turns), we decided to make a day trip to Assisi. And once we caught a glimpse of this stunning walled hilltop town on Monte Subasio I realized why my parents had lingered there. There is a special quality in the town of Assisi, a kind of peace.

Visiting Assisi, view from Piazza del Loge

There be cherubs in that sky

One day in Assisi

Unfortunately, Mark and I weren’t immediately infused with the peacefulness that a visit to Assisi should bring, because we’d parked on the far side of the town from the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi and wanted to find it before it closed, which was in 20 minutes. So my advice to you is: If you plan to spend one day in Assisi, make sure it starts before 4:00 p.m.

If you’re visiting Assisi here’s another tip: The Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi is located just outside the city walls on the western tip of Asio hill. Woe is you if you park on the east side and don’t have a lot of time.

In addition to the Giotto frescoes I wanted to see the tomb of St Francis of Assisi. So we raced up the escalator that took us up to the top of town and along the cobbled streets, only pausing long enough to ask random strangers for directions. (Or rather Mark raced with me trying to get him to slow down to trotting speed as he is, erm, focused when it comes to getting places.)

Visiting Assisi, street scene

Out of our way! We need to get to the church on time!

Visiting Assisi at the speed of light

And while we’re speeding through Assisi at the pace of flying hawks, with me whining behind Mark and thinking to myself that this spiritual hill town should be a place of love and bliss and that, at the very least, Mark and I should be holding hands with occasional pauses to look adoringly into each other’s eyes (after all, we had just got engaged in Umbria), let me tell you who St Francis of Assisi was.

Giotto in Assisi, Legend of St Francis Sermon to the Birds

Preaching to the birds, Giotto fresco in Assisi

St Francis of Assisi

St Francis, real name Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, was born in Assisi about 1182 and died in Assisi in 1226 (40 years before Giotto was born). St Francis is the patron of animals, merchants, ecology and possibly stowaways. A wild and wealthy youth, he was imprisoned in Perugia for a year during a war between rival Italian hill towns.

It was in prison that St Francis of Assisi came to see the shallowness of his life. Eventually, after being released, he cast off his riches and turned to God. He loved nature, preached to the birdies, slept out in the open and is said to have befriended a ferocious wolf, stopping it from terrorizing the townsfolk of Assisi.

Importantly, St Francis founded the Franciscan Order of monks. Perhaps not so importantly, but very endearingly: St Francis is also credited with creating the first nativity scene.

Visiting Assisi, Temple of Minerva

Temple of Minerva, Assisi’s Roman roots

Our day trip to Assisi might be short, but we make it

Mark and I reached the Piazza San Francesco where the basilica is located with 10 minutes to spare. If you’re visiting Assisi, here’s another essential travel fact: The Basilica of San Francesco d”Assisi is not one church, but two. Plan accordingly and give yourself time – something, as I may have mentioned, we obviously didn’t do.

Giotto in Assisi, at Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

Basilica of Francis of Assisi

One day in Assisi: Here’s what else you need to know about the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi

Construction on the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi was started about two years after the death of St Francis. In fact, the first stone was laid the day after he was officially declared a saint in 1228. Even today, the church remains an important pilgrimage spot for Christians.

Ghoulish fact: The Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi was built on an area once used for executions and was called the Hill of Hell, now it’s known as the Hill of Paradise.

Man in red pants checking out woman in red dress

 

Visiting Assisi – the Lower Church and a tremendous discovery

The Lower Church at the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi houses the tomb of St Francis. The body of St Francis was brought here after this part of the basilica was finished in 1230. Fascinating fact: The body of St Francis was buried beneath the High Altar and sealed with stones so that no one could steal it. It was rediscovered in 1818 and a proper crypt was built around it.

I would have liked to linger in the Lower Church, as surely this is the spiritual heart of Assisi, but as time was running out we had to whip up to the Upper Church to see the Giotto frescoes.

Definitely not Giottos, but available for sale in one of the gift shops in town

 

The Giotto frescoes of Assisi controversy

Are the frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi really by Giotto? That’s the million-dollar question. Their provenance has been debated since 1912, not because of their quality, which is unmistakable, but because of stylistic differences between them and some of Giotto’s other work. However, as my wise mother says, “whether they are Giottos are not, they are wonderful.”

Here’s my qualified opinion: They look like Giottos to me.

Frescoes of Giotto in Assisi Death and Ascension of St Francis

Death and Ascension of St Francis, Giotto fresco

The Legend of St Francis (probably) by Giotto and how Carol gets in trouble in the Upper Church

If you’re visiting Assisi for a day, know this: Five minutes is not long enough for an in depth tour of 28 probably-could-be-Giotto-frescoes that represent the Legend of St Francis, not to mention the work of other 13th century superstars such as Cimabue, who painted the transept and apse.

So. When the announcement came that the church was closing and everyone should leave, it seemed natural to go the other way. It’s a very dimly-lit church, and it’s possible I disappeared completely as I headed up toward the altar.

Giotto in Assisi Ecstasy of St Francis

Ecstasy of St Francis

 

At first I went gingerly, but no one came after me, so I relaxed and continued to enjoy the maybe-might-be-Giottos, which as my mother said, are a masterful sight to be seen. I was so caught up in the scenes from the life of St Francis that it took awhile to notice I was the only person left in the church. At least the only person who wasn’t a fresco.

Visiting Assisi, leaving Piazza San Francesco

Everyone is LEAVING

 

Guess I should leave, I thought. But instead I kept going. Wouldn’t you? I’d found the famous frescoes of Giotto in Assisi!

Meanwhile an almost panicked Mark was standing outside the door. “They were going to lock it up,” he said, when I eventually came out (under duress). “I had to tell them there was still someone in there. You were going to be locked in.”

Wandering Carol, luxury travel blogger visiting Assisi, Italy

Reunited!

 

Of course I was grateful Mark was ratting me  out looking out for me, but I was a wee bit sorry, too, because if I had been locked inside the Upper Church of the wonderful Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, I would have been able to spend the whole night with the possibly-not-but-now-I’m-sure-they-are Giottos. And that would have been a spiritual experience in itself.

 

Travel tips for visiting Assisi in Umbria

Where is Assisi? Assisi lies between Rome and Florence about 24 km from Perugia.

Visiting Assisi is possible by train but not amazingly convenient. To get to Assisi from Florence you’ll need to transfer in Terontola/Cortona from the Florence to Rome line. From Rome you’ll need to transfer in Foligno from the Rome to Ancona line. Get off at Santa Maria degli Angeli Station, about 3 km from Assisi’s historic centre and at the bottom of the hill – a 30-minute bus ride on the C Line away.

Parking in Assisi: We parked in the Porta Nuova parking lot, from there there is an escalator up to the city.

Wandering through the ancient streets is the best activity in Assisi (but not at the pace of a flying hawk). Give yourself enough time to enjoy it – especially as there are a lot of uphill climbs.

The Piazza del Comune is an excellent place to people watch. Check out the stunning facade of the Temple of Minerva from the 1st century BC.

If you’re spending one day in Assisi, try to make time for the hermitage. Surrounded by forest, set in mountain ravine, the Eremo delle Carceri, the Hermitage of Prisoners, was a retreat favoured by Saint Francis. Despite the name it wasn’t actually for prisoners but for the monks to pray in solitude and quiet. (About 4 km from central Assisi.)

When in Assisi, eat gelato. My favourite gelato of our entire trip to Italy was bought from a café on Assisi’s Via San Francesco, a shopping street where you can buy every astounding souvenir known to man. Angel plates and glow in the dark rosaries, anyone?

Visit the Chiesa di San Rufino, the Church of Saint Rufino, with its Romanesque facade, bell tower and small museum.

See the pink and white stripes on the facade of the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, the Church of Saint Clare dedicated to Saint Clare, a follower of St Francis who died in 1253. Inside is the San Damino Crucifix, said to have spoken to St Francis, setting him on his path to spirituality.

 

PS: We ended up in Umbria

Read more: about the Top Cities to Visit in Italy

For more of the best places in Europe to see: visit Top Destinations in Europe

Filed Under: Art, Europe, Italy, One day in

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 20 writing and blogging awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she's written for top travel publications around the globe.

Comments

  1. Carol Perehudoff says

    August 19, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    What a beautiful comment, Candy – You had the type of experience most travellers dream of, a real connection with the place. I hope to go back soon, too.

  2. Candida Santiago Duetsch (Candy) says

    August 19, 2015 at 4:42 am

    My husband (Mark) and I visited Assisi back in October 2012, we spent two days there and honestly I would go back in a heartbeat. We actually had time to attend a Mass at the Basilica of San Francesco! We visited all the spots that you mentioned and I actually had a very moving and unexpected “spiritual” experience when visiting the “tomb” of Santa Chiara and then again while visiting the Church of San Rufino. We toured several areas in beautiful Italy on that trip,(it was a birthday trip for me), but Assisi will always be special, it touched my heart in such a profound way and moved me to tears. One day,soon,I hope to return!!!

  3. Rebecca Minton says

    March 19, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    That was really interesting Carol. I loved the reproductions and photos. I have a biography of St Francis. Maybe now I will actually read it!

  4. patriciasands says

    March 17, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Another hilarious adventure!

  5. Lesley Peterson says

    March 3, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    Great post, Carol. I haven’t been to Assisi but Giotto was a personal favorite of mine when I was at school. I remember sneaking into a church in Florence, peeking under plastic tarps while the restorers were at lunch, to glimpse what I had traveled so far to see. Had forgotten about it until this post reminded me. Really love that photo of that Italian sky!

  6. Michele Peterson says

    September 12, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Great story. I especially love that street scene shot – the woman in the red dress is iconic Italian style. Timeless!

Talk to me! Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Subscribe and you won't miss an article!

About Wandering Carol

circle profileIn my 10+ years as a travel writer and columnist I've seen the best of what the world has to offer and written for some top publications around the globe - and now my goal is to bring this expertise to you. For more blah blah blah, visit my
About page.

Connect with me online

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Carol Perehudoff published in top media, logos for newspapers and magazines

Categories

How to use this adventure and luxury travel site

  • Click on the ‘DESTINATIONS TO TRAVEL TO’ tab on the menu bar to go to my destinations page.
  • The CATEGORIES drop down menu above will point you to locations and travel themes such as hotels, outdoor adventure and tours.
  • SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the latest articles and get tips to make your next journey inspiring.

Recent Posts

  • A (Lost) Love for Travel on Valentine’s Day
  • Best Beach Resorts in South Africa: Top 9 Luxury Stays for 2021
  • A Chocolate Christmas in Switzerland
  • Best Place to Live in South Africa | Cheapest, Safest and Best on Offer
  • Romantic Budapest

Recent Comments

  • Carol Perehudoff on A Tropical Island Cocktail Cure at Paradisus Palma Real
  • chrisrochfort on Who worked at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel?
  • brittshedhappens on My shamanic healing in the Amazon, Peru
  • Christa McKinney on A Tropical Island Cocktail Cure at Paradisus Palma Real
  • Ruth Reynolds on Bad Kreuznach – the German Spa Town You Probably Never Heard of

Terms of Use

Terms of Use

Copyright @2020 WanderingCarol.com Luxury Travel Blog