In the footsteps of Saint Francis: Santa Maria degli Angeli and Assisi
Santa Maria degli Angeli
Santa Maria degli Angeli is located geographically about 4 km to the south than the town of Assisi, lies entirely on the plain of Valle Umbra. The name of the country was used by Spanish Franciscan missionaries in 1781, to baptize the Californian city of Los Angeles. The attraction of Santa Maria degli Angeli are the papal abbey of Porziuncola: built between 1569 and 1679 by order of Pope St. Pius V (1566-1572), in order to preserve the chapels of the Porziuncola of Transit and the Roseraie and other places made sacred by the memory of Saint Francis, and welcome all pilgrims from every place you go to visit them. The most famous chapel is located in an area called "Portiuncula. t is remained for a long time in bad condition and then it was restored by St. Francis, who includes here clearly his calling and founded the Order of Friars Minor in 1209, entrusting to the protection of the Virgin Mother of Christ, to which the church is dedicated. On 28 March 1211, Chiara of Favarone of Offreduccio received the religious habit from St. Francis , beginning to the Lady of the Poor (Clarisse). In 1216, in a vision, Francis obtained from Jesus himself the indulgence known as "Indulgence Porziuncola of "or" Pardon of Assisi ", approved by Pope Honorius III.
Assisi
In this Umbrian town, lying at the foot of Mount Subasio, everything testifies the presence of St. Francis. If you have at your disposal the whole day, your visit will cover the Upper and Lower Basilica and the Santa Chiara, All'Eremo of Prisons and the Convent of San Damiano. While your visit will be reduced only if the Basilicas time available was only half a day. The construction of the Lower Basilica, under the direction of Brother Elias begins two years after the death of St. Francis, on the hill shown in the point of death from St. Francis himself, today called Colle del Paradiso. Just in the Lower Basilica, in the small crypt beneath the central altar, since 1230, are preserved the remains of St. Francis. Throughout the Lower Basilica was decorated with splendid frescoes atribuite to Giotto, Cimabue and their students. The Basilica was built after succession of Brother Elia by new Fathers of French origin: in the Gothic style and by the use of pink marble from Mount Subasio. The two Basilicas are linked by an internal staircase which is located on the left transept. Inside the Basilica Superiore rich frescoes about the life of St. Francis . The Basilica di Santa Chiara draws the lines and style of the Gothic Basilica Superiore and preserves inside the body of Santa Chiara and the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis. The Eremo ( Hermitage ) of the Carceri is within walking distance from Assisi, and takes its name from the fact that St. Francis and his followers are locked in solitude and silence in order to devote themselves to prayer. In addition to Eremo and to the church is worth visiting the surrounding woods with its frequent natural caves. The Hermitage of San Damiano outside Assisi is located in the direction of Santa Maria degli Angeli, and can be reached through the so-called Road of Olives. This beautiful hermitage is very important because it has a key-place in the religious journey of the young St. Francis. After the visit to Assisi you can dine in one of the many Umbrian restaurants in the center and in the campaigns of Assisi, or return to La Casa che Sogna to prepare for a new day of discovery.
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