Touring old churches has to be Will’s all time unfavorite activity. However, that is just what we did on Saturday for Will’s birthday. The drive to Assisi – as in St. Francis of Assisi – was beautiful and green, passing many old, top-of-the-hill villages.
One thing about it: Will loves photography, so taking pictures all day made it a good birthday for him.
Upon arriving in Assisi, with the wind blowing, and making the temperature a chilling 32 degrees, the Burt’s and I quickly purchased warm, knit toques so we could survive.
Assisi, made famous by St. Francis and St. Clare in the 13th century, is full of churches to explore, and also a fortress on the very top of the hill.
The churches are much plainer on the outside and the inside than the churches in Rome.
St. Francis and St. Clare lived lives that were very plain, giving their total devotion to God.
At lunch, where we ate the best pizza we have eaten in Italy so far, the Burt’s presented Will with his birthday gift – salted peanuts.
Basilica di San Francesco
Basilica di Saint Clare
Much of the quaint flavor in such towns as Assisi is found in the narrow streets,
the endless steps,
the lovely bright flowers,
the old stone houses, stores and churches, and the cobblestone streets,
and the lovely home crafts of the people.
(Pict compliments of Claudette!)
Up and down hills on cobblestone streets, up and down uneven, high stairs inside basilicas, made for sore legs and feet, but we still were smiling at the end of the day, declaring that we had a great time, as we celebrated an unforgettable birthday.
