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GAY ASSISI
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in ASSISI?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
WHAT TO SEE in ASSISI?
10 THINGS TO SEE in ASSISI
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
It stands in the place where the saint wanted to be buried after his death. Seeing it from a distance it almost looks like a fortress but in reality it consists of two superimposed churches, both beautiful and full of frescoes. Don't miss the cycle of the Stories of Saint Francis by Giotto in the upper basilica. Under the lower basilica is instead the crypt where the remains of St. Francis lie.
Basilica of Saint Clare
This church stands next to what was once the Church of San Giorgio, where St. Francis was buried until his body was transferred to the basilica that bears his name. Here are preserved the remains of Santa Chiara who from a young age decided to leave her family to follow the preaching of Francis and join him. Another of the relics kept here is the cross of San Damiano, next to which the saint had his first vision of him.
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Palazzo dei Priori & Torre del Popolo
Piazza del Comune is the main square of Assisi and stands on the site once occupied by the Roman Forum. As soon as you arrive in the square, you cannot fail to notice the Temple of Minerva from the Roman era (we'll talk about it later). In addition to the temple, the Torre del Popolo and the Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the Town Hall, overlook the square. In front of the tower you can still admire a red stone slab showing the reference measurements of the typical products of Assisi in the Middle Ages. The law of the time required the use of these models for merchants and craftsmen. Below the square it is possible to visit the ancient Roman Forum: head towards the former Church of San Nicolò in via Portica, from here you can access the archaeological site.
Temple of Minerva
It is said that when Goethe arrived in Assisi and saw the Temple of Minerva he was amazed in front of that ancient architecture. As soon as we saw it we understood why; it is a perfectly preserved six-column temple integrated into the more recent architecture. Over the centuries it was used for multiple functions until it was transformed into a church. Climb the few steps to the base of the temple and take a look inside this small church.
Cathedral of Saint Rufino
Contrary to what one might think (and we thought so), the main place of worship in Assisi is not the Basilica of San Francesco but the Cathedral of San Rufino. Dating back to the 12th century, it is the oldest church in Assisi and it is believed that San Francesco and Santa Chiara were baptized here (inside you can see the baptismal font). Furthermore, here St. Francis made his first preaching. The facade is considered the most beautiful example of Umbrian Gothic.
Rocca Maggiore
Visible from every point of the city, this fortress stands in an elevated position and has dominated the city of Assisi and the entire valley below for more than eight hundred years. It can be reached with a nice walk starting from Porta Perlici (have comfortable shoes and water). It goes without saying that the view from up here over the landscape that stretches from Perugia to Spoleto is simply fantastic.
Palazzo Vallemani and the Municipal Art Gallery of Assisi
Among the most beautiful buildings in Assisi there is certainly Palazzo Vallemani, not far from Piazza del Comune, in Via San Francesco. Inside it houses the Municipal Art Gallery (Giotto and Perugino are just two of the painters that can be admired) and the Museum of Memory.
St. Peter's Abbey
This is another very beautiful church in the city. It is distinguished by its facade, which is somewhat reminiscent of that of San Francesco. It was founded in the 10th century as a church of the Benedictine religious order.
Eremo delle Carceri (Hermitage of the Prisons)
About five km from Assisi it is possible to visit the place where St. Francis used to retire together with his followers to devote himself completely to prayer. We are talking about the famous Eremo delle Carceri, a sanctuary located at an altitude of 800 meters on Mount Subasio, immersed in the woods and surrounded by small chapels and natural caves. A truly beautiful and evocative place. For more information, we leave you the link to the Sanctuary website.
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli & Porziuncola
A few kilometers from Assisi, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli was literally built over a small church, known as Porziuncola, where St. Francis received his call to preaching and poverty and where the Saint welcomed St. Clare and other faithful. Furthermore, next to the building, there is the rose garden where Francis atoned for his sins by throwing himself into the rose bushes. It is said that these have lost their thorns so as not to hurt the saint and still maintain this characteristic today.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Complete Assisi - Google Maps
Extra - Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli & Eremo delle Carceri (by Car) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
10 BEST EXCURSIONS from ASSISI
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Perugia
Urbino & Gradara
Corciano & Gubbio
Spello, Foligno, Bevagna & Spoleto
Todi, Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio
Narni, Terni & Cascate delle Marmore
Lago Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago, Passignano sul Trasimeno & Magione
Panicale & Città della Pieve
Norcia, Castelluccio di Norcia & Monti Sibillini
San Marino & San Leo
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in ASSISI?
5 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in ASSISI
Grand Hotel Assisi **** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in ASSISI?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in ASSISI Quality / Price
€€ - Ristorante La Stalla (outside Assisi) ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Agriturimo Colle degli Olivi (fuori Assisi)
€ - Le Delizie del Subasio (excellent Torte al Testo with local cured meats!) ® Tested by World Mappers
TRAVEL TIPS about ASSISI by World Mappers
The best Panoramic Point of Assisi is the one near the Porta di San Giacomo, next to the Church of Santa Margherita, often not known and less crowded. From this position, the view of the Basilica of San Francesco and the landscape below is unique. You can find it easily by clicking here.
What to See near Assisi ?
