Umbria Con Me Day Tours
(Pass by)
Meet the guide at 10:00am and visit the Basilica of Saint Francis which is world-famous for its 13th-14th century frescoes by the best painters of Italy at that time. Among those, the most famous is Giotto. From there, you will get to the main city square, Piazza del Comune. At the square you will see one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy – Minerva's temple – which is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings. The morning will then head down to the old Roman ruins of the local amphitheater, which was reused in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stones to build local houses. You will see how the amphitheater was turned into a private neighborhood. From there, the view toward the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Through narrow alleys and medieval squares you will reach Saint Rufino’s Cathedral and Saint Claire's Basilica. After free time for lunch, in the afternoon you will explore Sanctuaries and Franciscan Sites outside Assisi by driver and guide. Your tour will start with the visit of EREMO DELLE CARCERI . “Carceri” is a metaphoric name given to this place which is nowadays an impressive old Franciscan friary built in 15th C. on the mountain slopes. It incorporates the grottoes were Saint Francis used to do retreat. From there you will also enjoy one of the most stunning views over the below Umbrian Valley. After the hermitage you will be taken to the sanctuary of Saint Damiano which is the place of Saint Francis vocation. There it happened the vision of the cruicifix advising Francis to fix his church. It was the starting point of Francis new experience as a friar on the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Your tour will take you as last to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels which protects under its gigantic dome the tiny Porziuncola. This is the very little chapel where Francis and his first companions founded the Franciscan community and also the place where Saint Francis passed away. The tour will end at 5:00pm.