The Basilica of San Francesco

Wed, Sep 7
I posted two photos earlier of the Basilica. Now for a bit of description. I thought I had posted this already, but do not see the post. Hopefully this is not a duplicate.

There is an upper and a lower basilica. The basilicas were begun in the 1200's after San Francesco's death (1182-1226). The upper one has lovely frescoes on the ceiling depicting Sa Francesco and the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. For example, San Francesco is shown in an allegory marrying the personification of Poverty as a lovely young woman in a patched white wedding dress (my favorite of the images). The lower basilica has the famous 28 frescoes by Giotto depicting scenes from the life and death of San Francesco, including his miracles. One of the most famous and popular of the frescoes shows San Francesco preaching to the birds, who are so charmed and drawn to him they have come down out of the trees and are standing on the ground looking up at him as he bends over to preach his message. It is truly a lovely image. People are sitting and looking at the images that flank the walls and also walking about from Greco to fresco. There is a bit of a minor din at times, and an attendant walks about with a microphone saying periodically,"silenzio" and making a shushing sound which no one seems to really respond to.

Below both of these basilica is the tomb of San Francesco he is buried beneath an altar with tall burning candles. You can buy a candle to burn on the altar. You take one from a basket at the entrance to this chapel and place a euro in a box. Next you take your candle or candles up to the foot of the altar and lay them in a basket. There was a minor scene when some German tourists went up to the basket and started taking the candles apparently thinking the were souvenirs or were there to purchase for lighting. The chapel was silent, but scores of people seemed to take a collective in breath. Then someone from their group quickly went up to the persons and they put the candles back. Deo gratis. An international incident averted.

Below

John at an outdoor cafe in Assisi
Eating limone gelato al fresco
Our packs on the train trip to Assisi










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