on the road to...
Orvieto
Orvieto
Up in the cable car to the top of the hill
View from the hilltop at Orvieto
The Duomo is the eye catching cathedral with its white travertine and black basalt stripes, carving and stained glass windows. The cathedral has alabaster windows which soften the light entering through the windows.
The frescoes, by Luca Signorelli, in one of the chapels are said to have inspired Michaelangelo. The church took 300 years to build and was built to commemorate a miracle concerning the Eucharist.Thirty-two Popes spent time here with five using the city as a base.
Patterning on the exterior of the Duomo
Wisteria lined streets of Orvieto
Assisi
The Basilica of St Francis
Rose window on the upper church facade, completed in 1280, is surrounded by symbols of the four evangelists.
Inside the gothic basilica -
the first of its kind in Italy
The church, with its apartments, commenced construction in 1228 after St Francis' canonisation.
The church has the oldest stained glass windows in Italy.
Upper Basilica
Wonderful symmetry everywhere!
The blue is lapis brought from Afghanistan, saffron was used for the yellow colour and gold coins were used for the gold painting.
Lower Basilica
Courtyard and the Friary
Lower Basilica
Courtyard and the Friary
The foothills of Assisi
The streets of Assisi
St Clare - follower of St Francis
St Francis and St Clare
St Francis' life parallels that of Jesus. He suffered with the stigmata - the wounds of Jesus.
The Hermitage, on the slopes of Monte Subasio just outside the walls of Assisi, is an isolated place of peace and tranquility where St Francis, in the 13th century, often came to pray.
Thick stone walls!
Narrow stone stairways and corridors
Confessional
Grotto where St Francis used to pray
The exit- a very tiny door!
Overlooking the valley
Outside in the garden
Rocca Maggiore - a 12th century castle overlooking the town of Assisi.
The Basilica of St Clare houses the Crucifix of San Damiano
The preserved body of St. Clare (1194-1253), displayed in
the crypt of the Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi.
