Castello di Petrata
 
 

ASSISI


Assisi, at only 5km from Petrata Castle, is today recognised as the world’s capital of Peace, an important point of reference for pilgrims and followers of religions from all over the world, who attribute it with great importance in terms of peace, human rights, rispect for nature, and the integration of people from all over the world.
In the beginning it was a small village inhabited by Umbrians under Etruscan influence until about 295 a. C., when the Romans became dominant. The barbaric invasions that followed the collapse of the Roman Empire brought the city into a dark period which then passed under the control of the Longobards and became a “comune”. The first Duke was Corrado di Lutzen who received his investiture from Frederick Barbarossa who seiged and conquered assisi in 1174. Some years after this, Francis, later Saint Francis, was born, and this would have an enormous influence on the history of this town and humanity in general. In 1198 the city passed under the rule of the Church, which banished the Duke for his many abuses, then Perugia, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Montefeltro until finally it was taken by Francesco sforza. From the plain today Assisi appears with many buidings, churches, bell towers, houses) bound by the medieval walls above which rises the majestic Rocca Maggiore Castle. Only the gateways provide an entry into the town: Porta San Giacomo,Porta Perlici, Porta Cappucini, Porta Nuova, Porta Moiano, Porta Sementone, Porta S.Pietro e Porta S.Francesco.

The Church of Saint Francis: is composed of two buildings built one on top of another, the Lower Church ( 1128-1230) and the Upper Church (1230 -1253), with its great Romanic belltower. Access to the lower church is had by the gothic doorway richly decorated with three rosoni and a portico from the XIV century. Also in the gothic style , the interior is divided into a nave divided in five campate where the frescoes of Cimabue, Giotto, Simone martini and Lorenzetti are to be found. The Upper Church is composed of a single nave with an apse and stained glass from 1200 and is completely frescoed by Cimabue, Giotto, pietro cavallini and Iacopo Torriti.

The Church of Santa Chiara: was started in 1257 and fnished in 1265, and represents a clear example of gothic architecture. The materials used are local pink stone from Mount Subasio, and inside there are prescious works dating from the XII to the XIV century. It is also home to the crusifix that was said to have talked to Saint Francis in the church of San Damiano.

San Ruffino Cathedral: built in the Romanic style in 1140, this church presents a façade composed of three doorways which corrispond to three naves inside , three great rosoni and a triangular timpano with a big gothic arch. It houses the ancient baptismal fountain at which Santa Chiara and saint Francis were baptised.
The Basilica of Santa Maria degli angeli: is 4 km from Assisi, this sanctuary was one of the biggest in cristendom. And was built in 1569 to the plan by Gleazzo Alessi. On the outside can be seen the majestic dome and an imposing gilt statue of the Madonna. Inside can be found the Porziuncola , where Francesco settled in 1205.

San Damiano Convent: Just outside the town is the place where Francis heard the crucifix urge him toi restore the church and where he composed his first draft of the Cantico of the Creatures.
Eremo delle Carceri: 4 km from assisi, the buiding where saint Francis used to retire to pray in the little church surrounded by caves.

Folkloristic Events
Calendimaggio (1st weekend in May), is a festival in medieval costume that sees the Nobilissimo Parte di Sopra ( the group from the upper part of the town) challenge the Magnifica Parte di Sotto ( the lower part). Processions, games , canore competitions go on for three days in which everything seems to have returned to medieval times.
The Palio di San Rufino (last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of August), the company of crossbow archers of Assisi play against each other, dividing into three groups ( San Francesco, San Rufino and Dive Marie), who contend for the prize.

OTHER EVENTS
Exhibition of Antiques ( end of April). One of the most awaited events of the spring season. An event that every year, attracts thousands of antiques lovers, collectors and scolars, as well as non-professionals, from all over Italy.
-Celebrations in honour of Saint Francis, patron saint of Italy are held between solemn lithurgical ceremonies in the Churches of Saint Francis and Santa Maria degli Angeli.