Assisi

Assisi is a very famous Italian city and is one of many towns and cities across the country where religious people from all round the world include in their pilgrimages. It is where Saint Francis was born and hosts one of the most amazing churches we have seen.

This was our destination for today.

Our day started with this view.....

Balloons over Todi.

Daniel watching the balloons.

Although the mist is hovering it was predicted to be a very warm so we set off early. The drive took us a little over an hour, on one of those very fast roads.

Assisi hosts millions of tourists each year so is very well organised with underground carparks. This not only keeps the cars cool, it also hides the cars which keeps the view beautiful.

This olive grove is just near the underground carpark.

The tower that takes you down to the car park.

Assisi streets are well cared for.

Olive trees can grow anywhere!

Getting up early is worth it, the streets are still quiet.

We walked through the quiet streets watching the town wake up, arriving at St Francis church in time for morning tea. We found a lovely and lively cafe with happy staff and cool air-conditioning.

Lots of delicacies to eat and gifts to buy.

As with all the churches we have visited, St Francis is a working church so during our visit mass was in progress. As a  sign of respect and to conserve the interiors we were not allowed to take photos inside the church. In addition you have to stay silent whilst walking through (which is not easy as there are so many questions to ask!). We also saw people being asked to tie "skirts" (pieces of material like a sarong) over their shorts as a sign of respect. We were already dressed appropriately. It is a large building with a two churches, one on top of the other, and the crypt where St Francis is buried. There was a strong smell of incense and the quiet hum of monk tour guides talking into small microphones.

Madeleine and Dad arriving at St Francis Church.

Does anybody look taller?

Enjoying the view to the left of the church.

The streets are getting busier now.

While we were eating lunch in the piazza we met a lovely grandmother from Sydney. She talked about the Jazz festival that was happening in Perugia where she was staying, and described some of the music she had heard. She was staying in the heart of town and could simply open her window and let the music float in.

The Assisi and E.U. flags flying in the piazza.

Daniel, Madeleine and Dad at the fountain in the piazza.

Following lunch we walked up the hill to the top of town taking in the sights and sounds and marvelling at how the cars and pedestrians coexist in the very narrow streets. There is always time in the heat of the afternoon to enjoy a cool local gelato.......

Happy days!!

While we wait for Dad to find out if they have egg-free gelato we posed for yet another of Mum's photos......how many have you taken Mum?.....

....just enough!

Yes!! Thanks Dad!

We drove home to the Todi house after another adventure in Umbria. Once we had a cool swim in the pool the heat of the day was long forgotten.... ...