Assisi - Basilica
The main Basilica in Assisi met all of my expectations. The art was wonderful, as was the story it told about someone who at least appeared to have lived as you would think a truly spiritual person would live. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take any pictures, so have only one of the interior. On the other hand, the simplicity and poverty espoused by the man himself and his followers, such as Saint Claire, seemed to have very little to do with the grandeur of the Basilica and attached Papal apartments! There was one little church that we passed as we walked thru town, past the Temple of Minerva and another grand church that seemed more in keeping with St Francis, however. Below the Basilica, there was a large colonnade and courtyard paved with stones from Jerusalem, sent by the Israeli government in recognition of the leadership of the Bishop of Assisi who encouraged monasteries and convents throughout Umbria to hide hundreds of Italian Jews during the Nazi occupation. Due to his and others' efforts, 75% of the Jews living in Italy survived the war whereas 75% of the Jews in other European countries perished. Their actions were remembered in the movie, the Assisi Underground and was a bright spot amidst some pretty cynical behavior of other governments and religious organizations at the time.
The main Basilica in Assisi met all of my expectations. The art was wonderful, as was the story it told about someone who at least appeared to have lived as you would think a truly spiritual person would live. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take any pictures, so have only one of the interior. On the other hand, the simplicity and poverty espoused by the man himself and his followers, such as Saint Claire, seemed to have very little to do with the grandeur of the Basilica and attached Papal apartments! There was one little church that we passed as we walked thru town, past the Temple of Minerva and another grand church that seemed more in keeping with St Francis, however. Below the Basilica, there was a large colonnade and courtyard paved with stones from Jerusalem, sent by the Israeli government in recognition of the leadership of the Bishop of Assisi who encouraged monasteries and convents throughout Umbria to hide hundreds of Italian Jews during the Nazi occupation. Due to his and others' efforts, 75% of the Jews living in Italy survived the war whereas 75% of the Jews in other European countries perished. Their actions were remembered in the movie, the Assisi Underground and was a bright spot amidst some pretty cynical behavior of other governments and religious organizations at the time.
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