Il Nido Tranquillo

At over 2500 feet above sea level on the wooded slopes of Mount Subasio backdropping Assisi….….the retreat of San Francesco, Eremo delle Carceri –  called “the Hermitage” – remains a...

https://stayassisi.com/eremo-delle-carceri-an-assisi-mountain-retreat/

During the late 9th to early 10th century, Narni was both a stronghold of, and threatened by, the Saracens –  the appellation in the Middle Ages for Muslim Arabs – as was much of central Ita...

https://stayassisi.com/la-rocca-di-narni-papal-power-reigns/

Esteemed biographer of Assisi’s San Francesco,  Paul Sabatier, once wrote, “It seems that St. Francis had a special affection for Narni and the surrounding towns.”  His first sojourn in t...

https://stayassisi.com/in-narnis-church-of-san-francesco-endless-discoveries/

Perched on a rocky outcrop in southern Umbria, Narni captivates many a visitor nowadays. As of 299 B.C., the Romans had their eye on it, too: they were distinctly aware of the strategic importanc...

https://stayassisi.com/narni-where-majesty-hides-roman-treasures/

The Umbrian medieval hill town of Narni hides countless wonders and a visit there should include the discovery of them. You can start as soon as you enter the town: off the central Piazza Garibal...

https://stayassisi.com/in-narni-la-corsa-allanello-gives-life-to-the-past/

In Italy, the patron saints of cities, towns and villages are feted with joy, emotion,grande passione – and splendid celebratory events rooted in local traditions and history. In Umbria mediev...

https://stayassisi.com/narnis-cathedral-of-san-giovenale-a-setting-of-splendor/

In a recent telephone chat with Roberto Nini,  we reminisced about our first meeting. In 1997, I had taken the train from Assisi to Narni to study the art and history of the town for the upcomin...

https://stayassisi.com/narnis-underground-an-angelic-find/

Yes, there can be “egg hunts” even in Umbria for Easter – but actually, prior to Easter. Finding the eggs is not an amusing and entertaining game for the children but a necessary task for t...

https://stayassisi.com/holy-saturday-in-umbria-cheese-bread-blessings/

Yes, Christ dashes in Bevagna on Easter Sunday – quite literally. That is, the Cristo risorto (“Risen Christ”), Bevagna’s treasured 16th-century statue. Every Easter Sunday morning, membe...

https://stayassisi.com/easter-sunday-in-bevagna-a-dashing-christ/

I hadn’t missed Assisi’s evocative morning Good Friday procession in years.  Until last year, due to COVID restrictions. And, anime’  – alas – there won’t be a Good Friday Process...

https://stayassisi.com/assisis-good-friday-morning-procession-remembered/