Assisi and Orvieto from Rome: an Epic Day Tour in Umbria

An interesting visit to St. Francis Basilica with his early Renaissance master-pieces by Giotto and Cimabue and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels , After the death of Saint Francis in 1226, the friars built several small huts around the Porziuncola. In 1230, a refectory and some adjacent buildings were added. In the course of time, little porticoes and accommodations for the friars were added around the Porziuncola. Some foundations of these were discovered during excavations under the floor of the present basilica between 1967 and 1969. As vast numbers of pilgrims came flocking to Assisi to receive the "Pardon of Assisi" the small space of the Porziuncola became completely inadequate to house all these pilgrims. The necessity grew to build a church incorporating the Porziuncola. The buildings around the shrine were taken down by order of Pope Pius V (1566-1572), except the Chapel of the Transito, the cell in which St. Francis had died. Construction of the basilica started on 25 March 1569.

Visit the church of Santa Chiara , The church was built, after the death of Santa Chiara, between 1257 and 1265, around the ancient church of San Giorgio, which until 1230 had kept the mortal remains of St. Francis

splendid baroque residence with frescoed vaults at the beginning of the seventeenth century by Umbrian and Tuscan painters - the Pinacoteca Comunale di Assisi is on display, which includes a conspicuous group of medieval and Renaissance frescoes

The mystic town of Saint Francis, sill surrounded by its ancient walls, built on the green slopes of Mount Subasio, with its colourful houses of ink stone. Narrow streets, flower decked balconies and noble palaces provide beautiful views for memorable pictures (do not forget your camera). An interesting visit to St. Francis Basilica with his early Renaissance master-pieces by Giotto and Cimabue and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Free time for lunch tasting the tipical localfood and wine , shopping and walking. after 1 hour the tour will start again

The Dome of Orvieto is one of the most beautiful Italian cathedral, a masterpiece of the gothic architecture of the center of Italy. The magnificent building dominates the bluff up which Orvieto is located thanks to its size. In particular, the splendour of its facade is known all over the word, with its towers that reach a height of about 53 meters. Do not to forget the interior of the Dome, with wonderful decorations and frescoes made by some of the most great painters of the past, among which the famous Giudizio Universale of Luca Signorelli.

Explore Orvieto, one of the oldest cities in Italy, owes its origins to the Etruscan civilization: the first settlements date back to the 9th century BC. and they located themselves inside the tufaceous caves created in the massif on which the Umbrian town currently stands. Although Orvieto's fame is deeply intertwined with that of its magnificent cathedral, the city offers numerous historical-artistic ideas and itineraries, precisely by virtue of its ancient origins. Furthermore, perched on a cliff, Orvieto offers truly splendid panoramic views.