Assisi is a beautiful hill town in the marvellous region of Umbria in Italy. To visitors, medieval "hill towns" are like storybook towns that time forgot. These did not develop into big cities over the centuries, but rather kept their narrow lanes, massive gates, stone buildings we find so charming.
Assisi is much more than a pretty hill town. Thousands visitors come to worship in Assisi's magnificent churches and to pray to saint Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), the patron saint of Italy, is affectionately called Il Poverello, the Little Poor One, because he lived and preached a life of simplicity and poverty.
He grew up in Assisi and was the son of a wealthy merchant. Heloved to sing, was a troubadour and oved fine clothes. But when the town of Assisi fought Perugia when Francis was twenty, he was captured and spent a year in prison. Once free, he completely changed his life: he gave all he owned to the poor, he tended lepers, and preached a message of poverty, humility, and joy.
Today, in Assisi, pilgrims flock to the beautiful Basilica de San Francesco. The lower church, where St. Francis is buried, is entered through the archway and is a marvel of beauty with ecorated vaulted ceilings, some painted dark blue and dotted with stars.
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