Benvenuto a Assisi, Italia!

Home to about 55 million people, Italy has been one of the world's crown jewels both in culture and religion and when it comes to Assisi, there is no exception.

A small Umbrian town located 90 miles north of Rome, Assisi is home to approximately 26,000 residences. Bringing in 4 to 5 million tourists a year, Assisi has been able to become "touristy," while keeping it's small town charm. How? Well, Assisi preserves itself: at first controlled by the Umbrian, Assisi fell to the Roman Empire, which named what we know as "Assisi," originally as "Assisium." Various remnants from the Roman Empire still remain (as they all do throughout Italy). Roman attractions include: the remnants of the Roman Forum, an amphitheater, Roman walls as well as the temple of Minerva (the Greek name would be Athena) that dates back to the 1st century B.C.

What's amazing about Assisi is that the history doesn't begin and end in any one time period. Walk the hills of Assisi, and you will stumble upon the Roman ruins, as well as winding medieval streets, and sacred shrines. What sacred shrines am I talking about? The most famous within Assisi, for both Catholics, and non- Catholics, is that of the 13th century Basilica di San Francesco (Basilica of St. Francis). St. Francis, believed to have been born 1181/1182, is one of the most popular saints within Catholicism. Beatified by Pope Gregory IX, no more than two years after his death the construction of a church in the honor of St. Francis was underway. Consecrated in 1253, and designated as a Major Basilica in 1288,   the Basilica di San Francesco is one of the greatest attractions for pilgrims from all over the world.

Is ancient and religious attractions, all that Assisi have to offer? The answer is no! This is the beauty behind Assisi: no matter what you're there for, you're bound to find it. Assisi offers an Italian cultural experience through: culture (both modern and ancient), art (including that of the famous Giotto Di Bondone- see painting blow), festivals to Michelangelo, piazzas (public squares), ancient forums, and even jazz concerts. In other words, just walk around Assisi, and let the various aspects, whether ancient or modern, come to you.

Interacting with the Locals

• Be enthusiastic, yet formal, when greeting someone
• When shaking hands, make direct eye contact with a smile (especially with strangers)
• As friendships develop, it's common to have air-kissing on both cheeks (usually start on the left, and men usually add a pat on the back)
• Wait until you're invited to address someone by their first name (this keeps a sense of formality)
• When it comes to the Italians, first impressions last, so go the extra mile to demonstrate formality and respect

Buon viaggio!

 Painting by Giotto di Bondone

 

Basilica di San Francesco