Visit Italy’s Unspoiled Umbria… For About $35 a Night
Posted: Monday, March 19, 2007
by Eileen Barish
Anacapa Press
Unlike Tuscany to the west, beautiful, dramatic Umbria offers a slower pace to life, a sense of
Many of the monasteries are hundreds of years old, their antiquity intact, their facilities up to date. You might find yourself in an alluring villa dating back to the 15th century with stained glass windows or perhaps an outstanding Gothic structure with dramatic turrets and frescoed ceilings. There are monasteries in secluded forests, private islands, atop majestic mountains and unspoiled beaches.
In Assisi, the Monastero di Santa Brigida is secluded in a delightfully cool and verdant park, its pretty landscape accentuated by the otherworldly light that illuminates and softens Umbria’s terrain. There are spectacular views of Assisi, a town of incredible beauty, of sparkling fountains, of remarkable monuments to its patron saint. It is composed of quaint streets brimming with flowers and beloved piazze. A place to wander and explore and come away with a sense of what life might have been like centuries ago. Dominating the skyscape is the imposing fairy tale castle, Rocca Maggiore. A 14th century replica of an earlier fortress destroyed in a citizens’ revolt, the castle was built atop a hill with views that embrace the Tiber Valley, a verdant milieu much beloved by St. Francis. The Duomo di San Rufino has an excellent Romanesque façade and is noted for its bell tower. It shelters the font where St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized. The town’s main square is the Piazza del Comune, once the site of a Roman forum and the locale of the 1st century Temple of Minerva. The Pinacoteca Comunale is a noteworthy art gallery featuring Umbrian Renaissance art and frescoes from Giotto’s school.
Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most fascinating figures of the Catholic religion. The town and basilica named after him, attract thousands of visitors every year. The birthplace of St. Francis, this delightful medieval town exudes an aura of hospitality. Assisi’s gentle landscape complements the saint’s renowned gentle nature.
Plan a visit to nearby Spello, a unique town built in the typical colors of the Umbria stone. Although best known for his work in the Borgia Apartment in the Vatican Museum, some of Pinturicchio’s finest frescoes can be admired in the Baglioni Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The chapel’s beautiful tile floor is majolica by Deruta.
Monastero di Santa Brigida is just one of hundreds of monasteries and convents detailed on www.monasteriesofitaly.com.
Contact info for Monastero di Santa Brigida:
Suor Marcellina, Monastero di Santa Brigida di Svezia
Via Moiano 1, 06081 Assisi (PG) Italy
Tel: 075/812693 / Fax: 075/813216Unlike Tuscany to the west, beautiful, dramatic Umbria offers a slower pace to life, a sense of community and a more authentic Italian experience. Rich in history, art and food, the region is also home to scores of monasteries that offer hospitality to all, regardless of religious beliefs. For centuries, Italians have known about these incredible yet inexpensive alternatives to high-priced hotels. There are hundreds of monasteries and convents throughout Italy and dozens in Umbria where you can stay for about $35 per night including breakfast. They are clean, safe and welcoming havens that have offered room and board for centuries, beginning with the pilgrims who trekked along Italy’s pilgrim routes.
Many of the monasteries are hundreds of years old, their antiquity intact, their facilities up to date. You might find yourself in an alluring villa dating back to the 15th century with stained glass windows or perhaps an outstanding Gothic structure with dramatic turrets and frescoed ceilings. There are monasteries in secluded forests, private islands, atop majestic mountains and unspoiled beaches.
In Assisi, the Monastero di Santa Brigida is secluded in a delightfully cool and verdant park, its pretty landscape accentuated by the otherworldly light that illuminates and softens Umbria’s terrain. There are spectacular views of Assisi, a town of incredible beauty, of sparkling fountains, of remarkable monuments to its patron saint. It is composed of quaint streets brimming with flowers and beloved piazze. A place to wander and explore and come away with a sense of what life might have been like centuries ago. Dominating the skyscape is the imposing fairy tale castle, Rocca Maggiore. A 14th century replica of an earlier fortress destroyed in a citizens’ revolt, the castle was built atop a hill with views that embrace the Tiber Valley, a verdant milieu much beloved by St. Francis. The Duomo di San Rufino has an excellent Romanesque façade and is noted for its bell tower. It shelters the font where St. Francis and St. Clare were baptized. The town’s main square is the Piazza del Comune, once the site of a Roman forum and the locale of the 1st century Temple of Minerva. The Pinacoteca Comunale is a noteworthy art gallery featuring Umbrian Renaissance art and frescoes from Giotto’s school.
Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most fascinating figures of the Catholic religion. The town and basilica named after him, attract thousands of visitors every year. The birthplace of St. Francis, this delightful medieval town exudes an aura of hospitality. Assisi’s gentle landscape complements the saint’s renowned gentle nature.
Plan a visit to nearby Spello, a unique town built in the typical colors of the Umbria stone. Although best known for his work in the Borgia Apartment in the Vatican Museum, some of Pinturicchio’s finest frescoes can be admired in the Baglioni Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The chapel’s beautiful tile floor is majolica by Deruta.
Monastero di Santa Brigida is just one of hundreds of monasteries and convents detailed on www.monasteriesofitaly.com. Contact info for Monastero di Santa Brigida:
Suor Marcellina, Monastero di Santa Brigida di Svezia
Via Moiano 1, 06081 Assisi (PG) Italy
Tel: 075/812693 / Fax: 075/813216, Website: www.brigidine.org
Visit www.monasteriesofitaly.com and see the other accommodations available to you.
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