First Excursion into Assisi

My trusty pink umbrella and I re-established our happy relationship on Sunday:

Yes, it rained during our first trip into Assisi, but at least the thunder storm, with its giant black clouds and lightning, made a dramatic backdrop against the white churches and golden fields. 

Assisi is a hilltop town, with a castle at the very top.  The town itself is long and narrow, gleaming like a white jewel on the side of the mountain, with the abbey's arches gracefully extending. In fact, most of the stone is colored pale rose, which is so lovely. 

Olive groves surround the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, whose cloistered nuns only come out to pick the olives, and the central piazza features a temple to Minerva, which was converted into a Catholic church but retains its white columns.  We also saw the Church of Saint Francis, whose frescoes are ancient and beautiful.

The sun came out in the end, but sadly, only just in time for us to say goodbye to the New Yorkers.


Here we are with the girls and our Italian friend Alessia: 

Assisi is a gorgeous town, very clean and well preserved, and though I didn't see as much of it on this trip as I would have liked, I can already tell that it is a special place. The view!