Holiday apartment in Assisi – between UNESCO culture and Umbrian landscape

Holiday apartment in Assisi between culture and landscape

Assisi and its built-up area are an outstanding example of an Umbrian hill town and cultural landscape whose historical layers have been preserved since antiquity. At the same time, Assisi continues to fulfil its medieval role as a spiritual centre of the Franciscan Order and as an important Christian pilgrimage destination. If you choose a holiday apartment in Assisi, you can focus your trip on cultural sites, spiritual places and landscape experiences.

Franciscan churches and UNESCO heritage

The Basilica of Saint Francis consists of two churches, one above the other: the Lower Basilica and the Upper Basilica. Both contain decorative works by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and Jacopo Torriti. Assisi, the Basilica of Saint Francis and other Franciscan sites have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2000.

Rocca Maggiore and Roman traces

The battlement walkway and polygonal tower of Rocca Maggiore offer panoramic views over the Umbrian valley. At the Museo della Rocca Maggiore, views from the towers and the outer courtyard are combined with medieval interiors and historic coats of arms. The so-called Temple of Minerva has been preserved to its full elevation and is considered one of the best-preserved and most readily comprehensible examples of Roman sacred architecture. As an ancient site, it is located in the immediate surroundings of Assisi.

Forums and architectural history

The Roman forum of the ancient city of Asisium lies beneath today's Piazza del Comune. The Roman forum is currently accessible via the crypt of the former church of San Niccolò and displays Roman stone artefacts. Construction work on the Basilica of Saint Clare began in 1257 on the site of the church of San Giorgio; the latter was incorporated into the new structure.

Paths and landscape

The Eremo delle Carceri can be reached on foot from Porta Cappuccini via Route 350, along a 3.5-kilometre route. The Bosco di San Francesco near Assisi covers 64 hectares and has an 800-year history.

Other places in the surrounding area

There are other towns and landscape destinations in the surroundings of Assisi. Rocca Maggiore is an ancient site in the immediate surroundings of Assisi. The Sacro convento di S. Francesco is a monastery in the immediate surroundings of Assisi. The Monastero delle Benedettine di Sant'Anna is a monastery in the surroundings of Assisi. Monte Subasio is a mountain in the immediate surroundings of Assisi. Monte delle Croci and Monte dei Cani are mountains in the surroundings of Assisi. Giardini pubblici is a garden in the surroundings of Assisi.

When choosing your accommodation, you can consciously weigh these focuses against one another: the Basilica of Saint Francis and the Roman remains represent culture, the Eremo delle Carceri a specific walking route, and the Bosco di San Francesco, the mountains and the garden represent landscape and nature. What matters then is which local and landscape themes you would particularly like to explore in greater depth during your holiday.

More places to discover: San Brizio, Morra, San Biagio De La Valle, Pietralunga, Sant'enea, Pezza and Colvalenza.

For the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Assisi as a pilgrimage destination: churches and accommodation.