Umbria & Le Marche - Italy - page 1169

The Festa di San Francesco falls on 3 and 4 October and is the main religious event in the
city. Settimana Santa (Easter Week) is celebrated with processions and performances.

Festa di Calendimaggio
( www.calendimaggiodiassisi.com ) This festival takes a joyous leap into spring with flamboyant
costumed parades, jousting and other medieval fun. It starts the first Thursday after 1
May.

CULTURE

ALL SAINTS

As saintly performances go, Umbria has a star-studded cast. Besides being the much-venerated birth-
place of St Francis, the region has given rise to two other greats: St Benedict and the Casanova of the
saint world, St Valentine. St Benedict, founder of the Benedictine rule and western monasticism, was
born in 480 AD in Norcia . St Valentine, meanwhile, was a bishop from Terni , allegedly martyred on
14 February 273 AD. His remains are entombed in the Basilica di San Valentino , now a much-loved
wedding venue and the scene of a great feast on St Valentine's Day. Want to impress someone special?
You could draw back your cupid bow and bring them here for a romantic weekend - it sure beats a
bunch of petrol station roses. For inspiration, visit www.sanvalentinoterni.it .

Sleeping
Keep in mind that in peak periods such as Easter, August and September, and during the
Festa di San Francesco, you will need to book accommodation well in advance. The tour-
ist office has a list of private rooms, religious institutions (of which there are 17), flats and
agriturismi in and around Assisi.

St Anthony's Guesthouse
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP

B&B €

( 075 81 25 42; [e-mail]; Via Galeazzo Alessi 10; s/d/tr €45/65/85; Mar-mid-Nov;
) Look for the iron statue of St Francis feeding the birds and you've found your Assisian
oasis - a peaceful convent run by sweet sisters. Rooms are spartan but welcoming and six
have balconies with breathtaking views. Olive tree-shaded gardens and an 800-year-old
breakfast room make this a heavenly choice. There is a two-night minimum stay and an
11pm curfew.

Ostello della Pace

HOSTEL €