Mystical Umbria

From the first centuries of the late mediaeval period and throughout the 13th and 14th centuries; Umbria experienced the spread of monasticism, becoming a region of Saints and religious movements. It is well known that, St. Benedict was born in Norcia (480-547). In but a few centuries the territory of Umbria witnessed the coming of age of the Benedictine monastic order at San Pietro in Perugia, Santa Maria Valdiponte in Montelabbate near Perugia, Sassovivo near Foligno, San Benedetto on Mount Subasio, san Salvatore on Mount Corona and the Abbey of Petroia near Città di Castello. But this was not all. In the 13th century the Franciscan order burst onto the scene, promoted by St. Francis and Santa Chiara. Everywhere convents and monasteries sprang up. Alongside the Franciscans, in this century of great religious fervour, were also the Mendicant orders – Dominicans, Servants of Mary, Augustinians – and the “Disciplinati” orders.
The configuration of the cities changed with the establishment of these settlements. They constructed buildings such as San Domenico in Perugia and San Fortunato in Todi which rivalled even the cathedral in beauty and elegance.
But from all the expressions of religious fervour in these centuries, the pearl of Assisi shines above them all. Set above a spur of Mount Subasio overlooking the green Umbrian valley in the broad basin of the rivers Chiascio and Topino, from a distance Assisi appears to be layered in terraces with a cascade of churches, houses and belltowers.
All over the interior of the church splendid frescoes bring out the power of Mediaeval religion. The hands of Giotto, Lorenzetti, Cimabue and Simone Martini can be recognised throughout. Five kilometres away is the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in the place where the Saint died. A few chilometres from here is the convent of San Damiano which grew up where, so legend has it, the crucifix spoke to young Francis in 1205 and where Francis later received Santa Chiara and her companions and composed the hymn known as the “Cantico delle Creature”.
On the slopes of Mount Subasio in the middle of a thick wood four kilometres from Assisi is the Carceri Hermitage. This was St. Francis’s first retreat and was later frequented by St. Bernardino who erected a monastery. In the small courtyard is the Well of St. Francis from which water miraculously gushed, whilst in the woods are the grottoes of the Saint and his companions.