Assisi, Umbria, Italy

Assisi is a beautiful place of peace and of prayer - just a very fascinating place which enjoys its unique character. At least once in the life, everyone should visit Assisi and walk its streets not only as an ordinary tourist, but also as a pilgrim. Beautiful buildings, homes of St Francis and St Claire, very friendly people and awesome views of the neighbouring valleys are really worth visiting. You will stay there for a whole day and will not see everything.

Parking in Assisi

But first things first - let's find a good parking lot. We parked the car in the Parcheggi Mojano parking lot (P1; GPS: 43.067910, 12.614964). It is located near the Basilica di Santa Chiara. There are also many other parking lots, for example a good one - the Parcheggio Porta Nuova parking lot, but it's located a little bit farther (P2; GPS: 43.065847, 12.619186).

Basilica di Santa Chiara

We walked first to Basilica di Santa Chiara (A; GPS: 43.069155, 12.616583). It's located next to the square Piazza Santa Chiara which offers magnificent views over the Umbrian surroundings. Then we moved the Corso Giuseppe Mazzini street to the very centre, to the Piazza del Comune square.

Piazza del Comune

Piazza del Comune (B; GPS: 43.071155, 12.614775) is a wonderful place to stop for a rest just to watch walking people and to have something to drink or eat. Everywhere you look there you see the mixes of architecture through many centuries.

At the central square you can find the Roman Temple of Minerva (Museo e Foro Romano). The only part remaining from the original temple is the building's front with the columns. These Roman columns have beautiful proportions and really are unmistakeable. On the other side of the square there is beautiful fountain Fonte di Piazza del Comune. Its current appearance comes from 1772 thanks to the sculptor Giuseppe Martinucci and the architect Valeri.

Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi

The Via S. Francesco street leads directly to the Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi (C; GPS: 43.074477, 12.606213). The Basilica is amazing treasure of art and architecture, of course in addition to its very importance in the word of religion. Entry to the Basilica is free so you can explore the inside of the beautiful church. You can also have great views from the piazza in front of the Basilica. And please remember - there are no photos inside the church.

Other interesting buildings