Post by Kim on Feb 2, 2002 15:12:19 GMT -5
01 February
Assisi, Italy
Hello to all,
Left Siena this morning, which I say again was the prettiest town I think I have been in. Like stepping back in time, the red bricks and red tile roofs everywhere, winding, curving streets, most running uphill and down and everything centers in the town square. Which isn't square of course. But the views over the countryside from the tower are fabulous, gently rolling with olive trees and stone houses, vineyards and cypress tress dotting the horizon and edging out all the roads. It is exactly what Tuscany should look like! Several really fine chruches and of course the Duomo, which is quite spectacular indeed. Black and white marble facade, full of statues and gnomes, lions, columns, mosaics...it is really decked out. But unlike most of the others I have seen in the region, this one is all marble inside as well and the most amazing floor.....so perfectly done, looks almost like paintings or frescos, but it is all marble inlays. Fabulous!
Took off for Assisi this morning, about 3 hours or so by train. No directroute so involved a couple of changes, hence the length. Was cloudy and misty/drizzle nearly all the way and by the time I got to Assisi it was miserable. Not especially cold, but just solid mist. And Assisi, which crowns the top of a rather big 'hill' was totally socked in. You could barely see
across the street once you got up to the town proper. Too bad indeed, as once again there are, I know, fabulous views but I could not see any of them. The St. Francis Bascilica is amazing. From head on it really does not look all that big, comparitively speaking, but believe me it is huge! It is at the end of the town, it's on an outcrop of sorts right on the edge, and basically follows the mountain right down in the side and back. Which you don't see from the front.
A side note here.....this town in particular was nearly destroyed in a huge earthquake in 1997. The bascilica was heavily damaged. I remember hearing of this on the news when it happened. They are nearly 100% done with the repairs to the church, and except for some frescos over the front door and the papal altar which could not be saved it is now in good shape. Amazing frescos depicting the life of St. Francis and his tomb is in the lower church.....absolutely beautiful and serene place indeed. All in all a somewhat 'plain' church, no gilt, grand pulpits or such, but very much in following with the sects beliefs.
They are still actively, very actively, in the process of restoring the town itself. In fact there was apparently some really harsh words over the fact that thousands of people are still without homes while they took care of the church. But they are rebuilding in the 'old' style, but it is so stunning as all the stone is so clean and bright and new. Once again, a town nearly straight up and down no matter where you are going, but unlike Siena, this is all built with a lovely golden stone. And just dozens of little alleyways and stairs leading off up and down, each one prettier than the next. I took some pics, lost cause I fear due to the bad weather, but hopefully they will at least serve to give a sense of what it looks like. Would very much like to return here in better
weather.
That's it for today. Next stop....Rome I think. Oh, one great sight in Assisi....one of the monks? or are they friars?whatever, he was walking down the street just in front of me, in his long black robes, with blue jeans sticking out underneath, Air Jordons on his feet, and a lap top strung round hisshoulders! Technology catches up even here I think!
Loving Italy indeed!
ging
Assisi, Italy
Hello to all,
Left Siena this morning, which I say again was the prettiest town I think I have been in. Like stepping back in time, the red bricks and red tile roofs everywhere, winding, curving streets, most running uphill and down and everything centers in the town square. Which isn't square of course. But the views over the countryside from the tower are fabulous, gently rolling with olive trees and stone houses, vineyards and cypress tress dotting the horizon and edging out all the roads. It is exactly what Tuscany should look like! Several really fine chruches and of course the Duomo, which is quite spectacular indeed. Black and white marble facade, full of statues and gnomes, lions, columns, mosaics...it is really decked out. But unlike most of the others I have seen in the region, this one is all marble inside as well and the most amazing floor.....so perfectly done, looks almost like paintings or frescos, but it is all marble inlays. Fabulous!
Took off for Assisi this morning, about 3 hours or so by train. No directroute so involved a couple of changes, hence the length. Was cloudy and misty/drizzle nearly all the way and by the time I got to Assisi it was miserable. Not especially cold, but just solid mist. And Assisi, which crowns the top of a rather big 'hill' was totally socked in. You could barely see
across the street once you got up to the town proper. Too bad indeed, as once again there are, I know, fabulous views but I could not see any of them. The St. Francis Bascilica is amazing. From head on it really does not look all that big, comparitively speaking, but believe me it is huge! It is at the end of the town, it's on an outcrop of sorts right on the edge, and basically follows the mountain right down in the side and back. Which you don't see from the front.
A side note here.....this town in particular was nearly destroyed in a huge earthquake in 1997. The bascilica was heavily damaged. I remember hearing of this on the news when it happened. They are nearly 100% done with the repairs to the church, and except for some frescos over the front door and the papal altar which could not be saved it is now in good shape. Amazing frescos depicting the life of St. Francis and his tomb is in the lower church.....absolutely beautiful and serene place indeed. All in all a somewhat 'plain' church, no gilt, grand pulpits or such, but very much in following with the sects beliefs.
They are still actively, very actively, in the process of restoring the town itself. In fact there was apparently some really harsh words over the fact that thousands of people are still without homes while they took care of the church. But they are rebuilding in the 'old' style, but it is so stunning as all the stone is so clean and bright and new. Once again, a town nearly straight up and down no matter where you are going, but unlike Siena, this is all built with a lovely golden stone. And just dozens of little alleyways and stairs leading off up and down, each one prettier than the next. I took some pics, lost cause I fear due to the bad weather, but hopefully they will at least serve to give a sense of what it looks like. Would very much like to return here in better
weather.
That's it for today. Next stop....Rome I think. Oh, one great sight in Assisi....one of the monks? or are they friars?whatever, he was walking down the street just in front of me, in his long black robes, with blue jeans sticking out underneath, Air Jordons on his feet, and a lap top strung round hisshoulders! Technology catches up even here I think!
Loving Italy indeed!
ging