Day 34: Assisi

No shower this morning! At the B&B, I didn't realize that you have to turn the hot water cylinder on in the bathroom!

Most of today was spent traveling.
10 minute walk
30 minute wait for bus
30 minute bus
change buses
30 minute bus
2 hour wait at train station.
1 hour train,
change trains,
2 hour train,
change trains,
10 minute train,
10 minute bus,
10 minute walk
and I made it!

So glad I pre purchased all my tickets before leaving AU as it saved a lot of time and potential stress with some tight changes.

Assisi is beautiful. Perched on the side of a Tuscan hill, this ancient town if picturesque and full of life!

This being the home of St Francis, and yesterday (Oct 4) was his feast day, meant the town was full of pilgrims and tourists. There was a special event on with TV, media, security and police everywhere. I head the Italian President was in town for the occasion.

After settling into my hotel and at last having a hot shower, I went for a wander through the old town. There was a market on which meant there were people everywhere. I couldn't resist Gelati and a roast pork roll - which is the best roast pork (inc crackle) I've tasted!

The Basilica is St Clare houses her remains in the crypt, along with many relics and articles of clothing from St Clare & St Francis.

I then wandered down to the Basilica of St Francis. This is comprised of two Basilicas on built on top of each other. The lower Basilica was built between 1232-1230 and house the tomb of St Francis. This was unfortunately closed (due to the special event), so I'll pay a visit tomorrow morning before leaving. The upper Basilica built in 1232-1239 was open and featured beautiful frescos of the key events in the life of St Francis.

Then back to the hotel to enjoy my 'room with a view'!