Assisi and its surroundings

A magical city with an ancient history...
Assisi is a charming town in the province of Perugia, on the western flank of Mount Subasio, where the pink stone used to build the city was quarried. Across the centuries, the mountain has always been an important resource to the city, due to its plant and animal life.
Assisi was founded a long time ago, as a consequence of a series of different populations settling in the area. Between the IX and the VIII century B.C., Assisi was a small village inhabited by the Umbrian population. It began to flourish under the Etruscan rule and it was later conquered by the Romans, following the battle of Sentinum. It was at that time that it received the name Asisium.
Within the Roman Empire, the city became Municipium and an important economic and political centre. It featured terracing and a Forum, where all the main routes converged. To this day, in this location tourists can still visit the Temple of Minerva.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was plundered by Totila's Ostrogoths. It was then successively conquered by the Byzantines, the Longobards and finally by Frederick I Barbarossa.

Assisi is famous for being the home town of the son of Pietro di Bernardone and Madonna Pica, Francis, the saint who changed forever the history of humanity with his example and with his famous work: the Canticle of the Sun. The city, though, is not only the home town of the patron saint of Italy. Assisi is also where Clare, follower of St. Francis, later to become Saint Clare, was born.

Assisi and Umbria boast a wide range of medieval towns and castles, villas, palaces and unspoiled nature, which make it the perfect destination for everyone. Whether you like art, sport (paragliding, rafting, golf), trekking, horse riding, cycling or hot-air balloons, Umbria has something in store for you.

Umbria is divided into several regions and areas, that are quite different in terms of history, culture and natural environment:
* Alta valle del Tevere (Upper Tiber Valley)
* Assisano
* Eugubino Guadese
* Folignate (Foligno area)
* Trasimeno Lake
* Media Valle del Tevere (Middle Tiber Valley)
* Perugia
* Spoletino (Spoleto area)
* Valnerina

The hills surrounding Assisi create a wonderful frame, dotted with artistic monuments, archaeological sites and restaurants, where you can indulge in the wonderful taste of Umbria's traditional dishes.
There is many a medieval village and castle, church and monumental palace in this area, all bearing witness to the ancient history of the region. It is worth mentioning the hermitage Eremo delle Carceri, St. Benedict's Abbey, St. Silvester's Abbey, and St. Silvester's spring, not far from the abbey, whose waters are believed to have curative qualities. Tradition goes that this is where St. Francis and St. Clare lived.
Assisi was declared UNESCO World Heritage site.