Introduction
Hometown of Saint Francis who was born here in 1182 and died 42 years later after spreading the word all over Umbria. The town’s quietness has not changed much since the saint’s times outside of the holidaymakers eager to know this s religious landmark of the Catholic Church.
Its history began in 1000 BC with the first Umbrian settlers who established in this welcoming region. From then on many different rulers came to power: the Roman Empire, the Barbarians and then in the 13th century when Assisi became a free commune the Ghibelline and the Guelphs, who supported the pope, struggled for power. It was fighting in which Saint Francis took part as a soldier.
Piazza del Commune is the central point of the town. From the square Via San Paolo and Via Portico go to Basilica di San Francesco. Via Portico connects to Porta San Pietro and the Piazzale dell’Unità d’Italia, the terminal of most intercity buses. However, the buses coming and leaving for smaller towns go to Piazza Matteotti.
Where to Eat and Drink
La Fortezza is on Via della Fortezza near Piazza del Comune and dishes out typical Umbrian specialities and roasted meat. Its wine cellar listing local labels is good.
Trattoria Pallotta prepares excellent vegetarian dishes and all traditional Umbrian
dishes which include rabbit, pigeon and homemade strangozzi. Its frescoed walls and beamed ceilings create a precious atmosphere to savour the Umbrian cuisine.
Medio Evo as its name suggests it, is situated in a medieval environs of vaults. It serves rabbit stew and truffle omelettes among many other delights and opens early in the evening.
Buca di San Francesco is also housed in a building with medieval features. Its menu embraces bruschetta, regional sausage, gnocchi and home made desserts. You can be guided by its sommelier in choosing the best wine from their endless wine list.
Grotta Antica offers a simple list of dishes and well priced wines which have no competitors in Assisi.
Gran Caffè on Corso Mazzini prepares delicious icecream and lip-licking pastries and cakes. Its hot chocolate and cold tea with peach are excellent according to seasons.
How to Get to/away/around
BY BUS: to Perugia ( length: 30 minutes, services: 9 a day), to Gubbio (length:1.10 hours, services: 11 a day). Buses leave from Piazza Matteotti. There is an intercity bus station at Porta San Pietro from where buses to Florence leave (length: 2 ½ hours, services: 1 a day). To Rome (length: 3 ¼ hours, services: 3 a day).
Inside Assisi every 30 minutes a bus connects Piazza Matteotti and the railway station. There are six car parks in Assisi linked to the centre by orange buses. On Via della Rocca you may have free parking.
BY CAR: from Perugia: drive along the SS75, leave it at Ospedaliccio, then it is sign posted).
BY TAXI: there is a taxi rank on Piazza Unità d’Italia.
BY TRAIN: the railway station is 4 km away in Santa Maria degli Angeli; however there is a bus connecting Santa Maria to Piazza Matteotti in Assisi. The line connecting Foligno-Terontola goes past Assisi. To Perugia (length: 25 minutes, services: every hour). Those heading to Florence change at Terontola and those going to Rome change at Foligno.
