Assisi

Assisi, the home of St. Francis (San Francesco). I have made some notes on Assisi in a September posting when we were still in Italy. I will try not to repeat the text but there will be a bit of repetition of photos.

The first two collages are collections of photos of the Basilica di San Francesco and the Basilica di Santa Chiara (St. Clare), a spiritual contemporary of St. Francis, who founded the Order of the Poor Ladies, apparently now know as the Poor Clares. Some of the photos in these were used in the September postings on Assisi.

The third collage is an attempt to show the Rocca Maggiore, the massive 14th century fortress (now apparently being converted to an art gallery) perched high above the city, as well as a couple of "scenic views" and a couple of street scenes. One finds our friend, Jean, resting in the foreground.

The next collage contains what I think is a beautiful view from the city, some street scenes and a photo of Ruth standing in the doorway of our hotel, the Hotel Umbra.

Finally, and I hope there is server space for this, a collage of the 13th century Romanesque Duoma di San Rufino which contains the remains of St. Rufinus an early bishop of Assisi martyred in the 3rd century. The photos include some closeups of the wonderfully unusual sculpted figures which adorn the front of this church, the third church containing the remains of the Saint to be constructed on this site. If you look closely in the centre at the top you will see a inset from the sculpture from above the main entry with a rather odd depiction of Mary, apparently sitting to the right of the "King", breast feeding her infant.

St Francis and St. Clare and many of their "disciples" were baptized in this church and St. Clare realized her "calling" when she heard St. Francis speaking here.

For more information on this cathedral click here
Rich

Orte

This small town which we visited on our way from Rome to our first hotel isn't mentioned in the Lonely Planet book on Tuscany and Umbria, but it was an ideal introduction to the area. It is perched on a volcanic "plug" so provides excellent vistas like many we would see in the coming days. We were tired from the trip and little sleep so a very small town was perfect. After being impressed by the remains of the Roman aqueduct and a brief geology lesson, we walked up into the town, found our way to a small restaurant and had a nice relaxing lunch - then back to the bus and on to our first hotel.
Time for photos was brief but there was time to capture the view from the road we walked up to get to the town, the town square with it's chain fence and a few other narrow streets and adjacent buildings.
Of my collection of doors (see Doors and other portals)the one I like most is here in Orte.

R

Volterra

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Also, see Day 4 notes and photos from September 18, 2007.

Volterra (pop 11,000) was established by the Etruscans as Velathri, an active trading centre, which was absorbed into the Roman confederation in around 260BC when its name was changed to Volterra. In mid 1300's it was taken under the control of Florence during the continuing battles between Florence and Siena for dominance in the region. The baptistery shows characteristics of both Florentine (pro-Pope Guelf) and Siennese (pro empire Ghibelline)architecture.
Since Etruscan times (Etruscans were well established in this area as early as 800BC)the town has been a centre of alabaster extraction and workmanship. Though the quarries were relatively inactive in the middle ages, they were revived in the renaissance period when the stone became popular again. All manner of alabaster items are available in the shops..
One of Italy's finest Etruscan museums is here in Volterra, Museo Ettrusco Guarnacci.
Just outside the walls are the remains of a Roman theatre and there is an active archeological site near the Roman fort, now a prison.
Rich

Map of Tuscany and Umbria

Should have included a map earlier but this should help locate the places mentioned in the recent postings.
All the places we visited are identified on the map - the ones referred to in recent postings are in large dark print - the ones not yet posted or mentioned since October are in white. For a larger image, click on the map.
R

San Gimignano

This is one of my favorite places - the town of fine towers. The towers, though plain, were once a sign of wealth and power, higher signifying more of each. At one point, apparently, the town administration passed a law limiting the height of each tower. One wealthy citizen, determined to demonstrate the level of his wealth circumvented the law by building two towers each reaching the maximum allowable height.
If you have seen the movie, "Tea with Mussolini" you may recognize that quite a bit of it took place in San Gimignano.

R