Assisi

On this Saturday morning in Italy, Giorgio drove us to Assisi.  What a beautiful town it is!  It is located high on a hill and the views are quite breathtaking:

Non-residents have to leave their cars in a parking lot on the outskirts of the walled city and walk along this cypress-lined road

before entering the town through this medieval gateway:

The town was the birthplace of St. Francis and there is a large church there which is named after him, the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi. His remains are buried in the crypt underneath.  It is a World Heritage site.  I couldn't stop taking pictures of it, from various angles. 

We weren't allowed to take photos while inside the church but you can see some here. It was even more spectacular inside. 

We strolled up and down some of the narrow, picturesque streets, filled with old buildings, souvenir shops and art galleries. 

This woman was offering free samples of her skills, she would write your name using her hand-cranked sewing machine.

Because it was Saturday, it was market day.  I was expecting fruit and vegetables but it turned out to be more things like t-shirts, pottery, purses and shoes.  I wasn't tempted.

As we were leaving, I noticed what appeared to be fires burning off in the distance.  We never did find out what was going on over there.

Then again, I was quickly distracted by this view:

Fire? What fire?  Why yes, now that you mention it, I am feeling a bit warm all of a sudden...