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😉 Greetings to regular and new readers! Today is a theme for history and travel lovers! The article “Assisi, Italy: attractions, photo video” – the history of the capital of the Franciscans.
Friends, I confess that before my trip to Italy, I had not heard anything about this city. But when I got to Assisi, I fell in love with him!
Italy: Assisi
This cozy town is located in the Italian region of Umbria. Distance from Rome – about 180 km. The total area of the city is 186,8 sq. km, the population is about 30 thousand people.
This is the birthplace and place of religious activity of Saints Francis of Assisi and his follower, Clara of Assisi. The ancient Roman poet Sextus Aurelius Propertius was also born here. Pilgrims from all over the world and a huge flow of tourists come to these places. There is a theological seminary and a university.
Patron Saint of Italy – Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi is considered the patron saint of Italy. Two years after his death, in 1228, Francis of Assisi was canonized.
It was he who founded the legendary Catholic Franciscan mendicant order. Why beggar? This religious order is entirely dependent on the alms of the people – for its livelihood.
The order does not own any property and observes a vow of poverty in order to devote itself only to religious work.
The paradox is that, despite the main idea of the order, there is a law according to which beggars are forbidden from all churches to beg for alms. A poor man who asked for money from a tourist can go to jail for several days for his “offense”.
Attractions Assisi
Approaching the city on a high hill, you can see the monastery complex.
Monastery complex
Friends, would you like to walk along the streets of a medieval town? It is possible! There are many such streets here!
Medieval houses of Assisi
This city managed to avoid destruction during numerous wars. And he appears before us in the form in which the inhabitants saw him in the Middle Ages.
Such a cozy street staircase!
Narrow medieval streets constantly suggest that time has stopped here.
This is especially felt when looking at monks in medieval dress, whom you will surely meet anywhere. Almost nothing has changed …
Every street, every house, stairs is a landmark. The streets are unique, but a bit like medieval streets in the Italian city of Siena
Basilica of Saint Francis
There are many old churches here, but the main one is the Basilica of the Catholic Franciscan Order. The first stone of the basilica was laid by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.
Square in front of the Basilica of St. Francis
This is not only a monument at the burial place of the saint, but also the first basilica of the Franciscan order. A monastery complex was built next to the basilica.
At the entrance to the Basilica of St. Francis
Basilica of Santa Chiara
Saint Clara or the Basilica of Santa Chiara, built in the XNUMXth century, is the burial place of Saint Clara, an associate of Francis.
Basilica of Santa Chiara
Church of Our Lady above Minerva
From the name it is clear that the Church of Our Lady above Minerva stands on the site of a Roman temple. Pope Paul III came to Assisi in 1539. By his order, a church dedicated to Our Lady was built inside the former Roman temple. In the XNUMXth century, this church was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
Church of Our Lady above Minerva
Cathedral of Saint Rufin
The Cathedral of St. Rufin is dedicated to a Christian preacher of the 1140rd century, who, according to legend, was the first bishop of the city. The cathedral is located in the center, has existed since XNUMX.
Cathedral of Saint Rufin
Fountain
Another popular attraction and favorite of the public is the fountain in the form of a three-stage bowl, guarded by lions. The fountain was built by the architect Giovanni Martinucci between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
Fountain by Giovanni Martinucci XVI – XVII centuries
Friends, you will be in Italy, do not miss this unique town! You will have a pleasant experience for a lifetime!
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