Attractions and Places To See around Assisi - Top 20

Bevagna / Region – Umbria / Province – Perugia (PG) The town, surrounded by a city wall with towers and gates, has an intact medieval structure (12th-13th centuries). In the upper part of the town, numerous Roman remains can still be seen: the ruins of a temple, the theater, and a thermal bath complex, of which a frigidarium with a magnificent black and white floor mosaic depicting marine figures from the 2nd century AD survives. The medieval town structure, with its squares and noble houses, developed over the Romanesque foundations: The magnificent Piazza Silvestri is home to the Palazzo dei Consoli (1270), which houses the Torti Theater, the Romanesque churches of San Silvestro and San Michele Arcangelo, both from the late 12th century, and the church of San Domenico e Giacomo (1291). Worth seeing is the Palazzo Comunale (late 18th century), which houses the historical archives, the library, and the art gallery. The Baroque churches of the Monastery of Santa Margherita and San Filippo are also very interesting. At the highest point in the town stands the Church of San Francesco (late 13th century). Next to the altar, one can see the stone on which St. Francis knelt when he preached to the flock of birds at Pian d'Arca. The 18th-century Palazzo Lepri houses the Museum of Bevagna, with works that tell the story of the town from pre-Roman times to the 18th century: archaeological finds from the ancient city of Mevania, medieval documents, and paintings by Dono Doni, Fantino, and Corrado Giaquinto. In the surrounding area, the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie (late 16th century), the Sanctuary of Madonna della Valle, and the Monastery of Annunziata (11th century), formerly a defensive castle, rise up against the hillsides. Text / Source: Umbria Tourism.it contatti@umbriatourism.it https://www.umbriatourism.it/de/bevagna

Assisi With its world-famous city walls, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Assisi promises visitors a wealth of culture and history. Shopping and long walks in the old town are also part of Assisi's itinerary. Near Perugia, the capital of Umbria, lies Assisi. The birthplace and place of work of St. Francis and St. Clare, it is a city worth visiting, and not only because of its famous children. Assisi's medieval city center and city walls are so well preserved that they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The city walls and the Basilica of San Francesco are therefore popular attractions for travelers. Founded by the Romans under the name Asisium, the terraced layout of the oldest Roman part of the city can still be seen today. The forum, an amphitheater, and the temples of the goddess Minerva (goddess of wisdom) are almost completely preserved. Text / Source: italien.de GmbH https://www.italien.de/staedte/assisi

It's hard to believe that 25 years ago, the earthquake here was so strong (two with magnitudes of 5.6 and 5.8) that 80,000 residents in the region were left homeless. The reconstruction of the old town was a magnificent feat.

For many visitors to Assisi, the more well-known destinations are probably the Holy Sepulchre Churches + of Saint Francis (see https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/7134144 ) and + of Saint Clara (see https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/2665025 ). However, these two churches are more recent (compared to this one). The ancient, venerable and original main church of the city and thus also of the diocese is of course the cathedral, the seat of the bishop. Francis and Clara also received the sacrament of baptism in this cathedral, dedicated to Saint RUFINO.

The town (Latin Asisium, older Italian/Tuscan Ascesi or Scesi, no longer in use today) was colonized by the Romans in 399 BC and built in terraces on a rocky ridge on the west side of Monte Subasio. It was previously an acropolis of the Umbrians. The city walls, the forum (or market square Piazza del Comune), a theater, an amphitheater and the Temple of Minerva, which was later converted into the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, can still be found from Roman times. In 328 the town was Christianized by the current patron saint Rufino di Assisi (San Rufino). In 545 the town was largely destroyed by the Ostrogoths, later came under the rule of the Lombards and was then placed under the control of the Dukes of Spoleto. In the 12th century, Assisi became a free commune and adopted a Ghibelline orientation, which was in contrast to the Guelph neighboring city of Perugia. Saint Francis of Assisi, who was born in Assisi in 1181/1182, was taken prisoner as a young man during these conflicts. In the 13th/14th centuries, the city expanded beyond the Roman city walls, and the walls were extended several times. In the late Middle Ages, Assisi was under the alternating rule of the popes, various condottieri, the dukes of Milan and Urbino, and finally returned to the Papal States in the 15th century. The city owes the fact that Assisi was saved from fighting and thus possibly from destruction in 1944 to the then commander of the German occupation troops, Colonel Valentin Müller, who was able to persuade the German commander in Italy, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, to declare Assisi an undefended, open hospital city. At the same time, Bishop Giuseppe Placido Nicolini and the Franciscan Rufino Niccacci, with helpers from the Catholic Church, organized the hiding of politically and racially persecuted people, including many Jews, in monasteries and other church buildings.

Medieval historians refer to this place as that of a Roman temple dedicated to the Bona Mater. Saint Peter Damian wrote that on this site there was a basilica containing the remains of Saint Rufinus, dating back to 412, and that Bishop Hugo (11th century) was at odds with the people because he wanted to take it to the then Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore with the victory of the citizens of Assisi. In the feudal city, the church of San Rufino was the fulcrum of the "citadel of the canons" and the foundation of the current church probably dates back to the eighth century. It was rebuilt for the first time in a larger form by Hugo himself, who gave it the title of cathedral in 1036. In 1140 a new reconstruction was started, based on a project by Giovanni da Gubbio, which lasted several decades. In 1210, the community, which used the churchyard for meetings, hoped for a speedy completion, attributing to the unfinished building the bad luck that animated the fighting between the factions. In 1228, the high altar was consecrated by Pope Gregory IX and in 1253 the entire church was consecrated by Innocent IV. In 1571, the interior of the cathedral was renovated according to a design by Galeazzo Alessi and took on its current form.

In my opinion, together with Spello, the most beautiful village in the eastern Umbrian Valley

In my opinion, together with Spello, the most beautiful village in the eastern Umbrian Valley