2015 - Oct. 1: We are heading north. First stop is Assisi.

After 5 days in Rome, we started our journey north. Rather than just going to our ultimate destination of Florence, we decided to spend one day in Assisi.

As we arrived at the station, we were greeted with rain! In spite of that, we walked (under our umbrellas) to the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. 

Inside the Basilica is the Porziuncola. The chiesetta (little church) of Porziuncola (Italian for "little portion") is the most sacred place for Franciscans. Francis was given this little church, dating from the 9th century, by the Benedictine monks. (borrowed from Wikipedia). A later Pope felt compelled to build the Basilica here and enclose the Porziuncolo within it!

After a bit of lunch, we head up from the valley to our B&B in the city. The front door of our B&B is in front of the car on the left.

This is the breakfast room.

Our view of the village and the valley below, from our bedroom window.

We don't have a lot of time, but we must see the Basilica of Saint Francis. Like most churches, photos taken in the inside are forbidden.

This is the lawn to the east of the Basilica.

Like most walkways and streets in Assisi, the only direction to go is UP!!