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Assisi Day 220 May 2009
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| Wed 20th May---Weather:-Hot/Muggy/31degrees Cortona to Assisi Another trip to Assisi was high on our agenda for we had such a good impression of it from our last visit. Although the day was quite hot and humid we were expecting an impressive day. The approach to Assisi is brilliant; most of the buildings are built with a cream and pink stonework and once in the city you notice that most houses have a variety of pot plants outside. It gives the impression of a picture postcard place. The first photo what you see in the distance is that of the Chiesa Nuova (New Church) 1615 AD. It is said to be built on the remains of the family house of St. Francis of Assisi. In the second photo you see the Rocca Maggiore which demonstrates the typical architecture of the medieval period. Our first port of call was at the tourist office, we still had a map of Assisi from our last visit and we had marked out all the places that we wanted to see and to talk about in the journal. We have been caught out a few times when, after paying entry fees to places and going inside we are met with “No Photos Please” so as a precaution I suggested to Herman “lets’ go into the tourist office and make enquiries”. My direct question was not answered 6 times until there was no getting away from it and an answer had to be given—“sorry no photos in any of the places that you have mentioned”. We went in to the Basilica and Sanctuary of St Francis of Assisi anyway; as tourists not photographers, and saw the frescos by Giotto, Cimabue, the Lorenzetti brothers, Cavallini, Toritti and Simone Martini. At about that stage I was rudely challenged by a police man telling me NO PHOTOS he was watching me, I was angry enough to challenge him to look at my camera as it was not even turned on in return I got another threat. I have to add that the camera was just hanging off my wrist. I can imagine that they do not want flashes going off all the time with the ultra violet damaging the old artwork but if we can take photos, without flash, everywhere in the Vatican (except for the Sistine Chapel) what is going on with all these other places---post card sales perhaps? At the other end of town in a side annex to the Cathedral di S. Ruffino we came across an art exhibition of about 24 oil paintings of Pope John Paul 2nd but I am ashamed to say that I did not get the artist’s name, I have to tell you that when you stand back and look at the succession of the paintings you can feel the Pope getting older with each canvas until you can feel the final goodbye, it was very moving. Also in this Cathedral can be found the baptism font that was used in the baptism of St. Clair and St. Francis and it is still in use. The impressive Romanesque facade of the Cathedral dates back to 1140 AD. It may seem strange to read about us complaining about heat over here but it is a different heat to what we have in Adelaide, our heat is dryer and cleaner on top of the fact that most places are on level ground over there. Herman was wishing for the flatness of Holland or Adelaide today. I think that we are about ready to move onward…..to be continued PS Did you notice my complaints in this entry Mick? |
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