Assisi... too good to believe

Ok... it is utterly ridiculous how gorgeous this place is. The only way to describe Assisi, the town we are staying in, is to imagine being in a spotlessly clean medieval town complete with every detail imaginable, positioned on top of a hill, overlooking a fairy tale valley, the regular twittering of birds, the occasional distant chanting of the friars, and the tolling of the bells at various times from one of the 6 or more churches here. I would not be shocked to see Bambi come romping out of the nearby forest with pretty birds flying around him...... OK... honestly it really is something to see. Possibly too good to be true... except that it is all real and not just a facade.. it could be a movie set.
When we got off the train the town of Assisi could be seen on the hill above us. We had to take a short bus ride to get here. From the station the village appeared to be reasonably flat. Alas this is NOT the case. It is so bloody hilly again our legs are dying. We have been determined to walk it all even when we encounter yet another very steep street or path. Our pathetic groans as we struggle up yet another hill are soon gone when we see yet another view that made the effort worth while.
Again we have scored a hotel room with fabulous views. This time overlooking the valley from the 5th floor. We have 2 large dbl shuttered windows in the bodroom and a small one in the bathroom to enjoy the views from. The valley is lush and green. There are countless farmhouses which are surrounded by dark pencil pines. All of the buildings have the beautiful soft pink beige colour with the mottled curved terracotta foof tiles. In the far distance we can see mountains which still have a little snow on them.

There are 2 massive and impressive Basilica's built around 1230 on one site. One on top of the other. Underneath both of them is a crypt containing the tomb of St Francis. While we were looking inside the lower one they started shooing out the tourists so that those that wanted to stay for Rosary could have quiet. I decided to hang around to experience this and Mark headed out to visit the upper Basilica. The Rosary was all in Italian and whilst I made all efforts to enjoy but also block out the Italian version and say my bit in English the Italian next to me was none to happy and I think my English was a bit off putting for her.
AT the beginning and end of the Rosary the pipe organ was being played and a choir singing. The acoustics were impressive and the sound dramatic.
The walls and ceiling in the upper Basilica were completely handpainted with frescoes illustrating the life of St Francis. Around the back and side of the altar were fabulous individual timber seats. Each is inlaid with different timbers, patterns and styles. Some had the image and name of past Bishops while others had birds or animals. With this being a town of many churches and a pilgrimage for many Catholics, the stone steps and paths are well worn and shiny from use. To say it is a 'holy' town is an understatement. All the shops are selling 'holy' memorabilia. That part is a bit tacky.

We have 5 nights here and over the next couple of days we plan to see a bit of the Umbrian countryside. Today we are checking out Perugia and will pick up a hire car tonight to have for a couple of days. So far we just plan to drive to Gubbio on one day and for the other day we are unsure. Possibly go to Trevi or Spoleto or we may just go wherever the car takes us. Wish us luck!

xD&M