On the way to Assisi, we stopped by Ravenna. The Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe was closed for restoration, so we had plenty of free time to wander around. I stopped by Dante's tomb and had Zuppa Ingelese gelato which is supposed to be a local specialty. It sort of tasted like eggnogg with cake.
Because of the narrow streets, our tour bus couldn't drive all the way to our hotel in Assisi, so we had to park in a lot and walk up the hill to our hotel, the San Francesco, which was located right next to the Basilica of St. Francis. My room at the hotel was extremely small.
After checking in to the hotel, we were free to visit the Basilica of St. Francis. It is divided into 3 parts: the crypt, the lower basilica, and the upper basilica. The lower basilica is more subdued in keeping with St. Francis's life, while the upper basilica is brighter to celebrate his sainthood. Pictures were not allowed inside.
Dinner consisted of spaghetti, turkey with fennel, and gelato.
After dinner, we went on an evening walk and saw the outside of the Santa Maria over Minerva (a church built inside a Temple of Minerva) and the Basilica of St. Claire. We also did a little shopping (I bought a small painted wood figure of John Paul II). For priests, Assisi must be like a candy store because there are a lot of neat shops selling chalices and other priestly paraphernalia.
BTW, Chinotto soda is nasty.
No comments:
Post a Comment