This past Friday two of my friends and I decided to walk on over to the Vatican, a mere 4 blocks away. We were all surprised it took us that long to get there, but we finally made it. We didn't go in or take the tour of the inside, but we stayed for a while just in St. Peter's Square and marveled at its size and beauty. There weren't a ton of people there, and the weather was so spectacular for a great afternoon. It is so amazing to see not only the Basilica, but also the columns surrounding the Square, the sculptures on top, as well as the fountains. It was very humbling being next to such an important, historical, and beautiful place!
Me in St. Peter's Square!
This weekend from Saturday to Sunday was also the first trip that was included with my program through my school. Me and 9 other girls spent those two days in the Italian region of Umbria, which is just north of Rome. The entire trip was a little cold, rainy, and overcast, but was extremely fantastic overall!
After a 2 hour train ride north, we took a short bus ride to a small town named Deruta. This town, which consisted of 2 main streets and few people, has a great history with Maioliche (pronounced like may-ol-icka). THis is a type of ceramic art of plates, vases, and various other items. While in Deruta, we went to a Maioliche museum, and were able to decorate our own plates! They had the ceramic plates already made, so we chose a typical Italian design, and traced it onto our plate. We then painted the plates, and they are going to be sent to us at our school when they are glazed, fired and had the last parts of the cooking completed. A great souvenir! After our arts and crafts time, we got a tour of the exhibits that were in the museum, which had a large span of modern art, as well as art from many years Before Christ. After the tour of the exhibits, we had a short time to walk around the tiny town, grab an espresso or a croissant, and just take in the town's sights (the little of them there are). The town was clearly very religious, as we noticed pictures of Mary and Jesus painted and hung on the side of buildings, by houses, etc.
Me and my plate!
Building in Deruta, very colorful with Jesus and Mary.
After our little excursion to Deruta, we took another bus ride to Assisi! We went to the hotel, and the two other girls from ISU and I decided not to nap like everyone else was before dinner, so we explored the town. I was surprised to see how little the town was, but not how religious. We walked around and found a Gelateria (desserts = yum) because we could not resist. On our way back, we realized how high up Assisi is, and that our hotel was at the way top, because the walk back to our hotel was much more strenuous and at a large incline.
We did make it back to the hotel in time for dinner though, which started out with a wine tasting of 2 white and 2 red wines from the region of Umbria, where Assisi is located. It was very cool to know exactly where the wines were made, and that it was not far from where we were staying. Dinner was so delicious, starting with the appetizer of a plate of prosciutto, salami, cheeses, flat bread, and spinach. That alone could have counted for a meal! We were then served pasta with a meat-alfredo sauce, followed by a flan-like desert with caramel drizzled over the top. We sat for a while talking with all of the girls from school, which was really really cool. After dinner, much to the surprise of the other girls, four of us went to find gelato to finish off the amazing day of food. Where we went for gelato was a little far from our hotel, which we knew meant that the climb back up would be miserable, but it was really worth it!! Coffee and cream gelato is the greatest food ever.
The next morning we woke up early, and went out on a tour of Assisi with our tour guide, who was extremely knowledgeable about the town wherever we went. Throughout the day, we went to the Duomo di San Rufino, not far from our hotel, which was where St. Francis was baptized, and where the baptismal font is still today.
Duomo di San Rufino at night.
Then, we walked to Piazza del Comune, which was the main forum of the town where the community got together to go to the market, discuss politics, and is very central in the middle of Assisi.
Piazza del Comune at night.
The next stop was the Basilica di S. Chiara, or the Basilica of St. Claire. This basilica was tinted pink, not meant to be that way, but was beautiful, and right on the edge of the cliff looking over the towns below. When the Italian cities were not unified, there was fear of attack from the town of Perugia, who had said that if they conquered Assisi, would take both St. Claire and St. Francis's remains from Assisi to Perugia. So, the people of Assisi put St. Claire's remains under the alter as to deter the Perugians from taking them so they wouldnt commit a sacrilegious act. Later, St. Claire's remains were moved to underneath the Basilica, and we were able to see her tomb as well as relics from her and St. Francis.
After the Basilica di S. Chiara, we walked by where St. Francis once lived, and we saw the wall of his original house. Our tour guide told us about how his father chained him up for not being a wealthy merchant like his father wanted him to be. His mother felt so remorseful for St. Francis, that after a few days she broke his chains, and St. Francis went on to publicly renounce his family, money, wealth, etc., and gave his material items to his father. Near the wall to his house was a statue that depicted this very event, showing the father holding the clothes of St. Francis, and his mother holding onto the broken chains that bound him.
Basilica di S. Chiara
Overlook by the Basilica di S. Chiara.
After a quick lunch, we saw St. Francis basilica, which was absolutely beautiful. It is a huge basilica, and the upper level walls are covered with painted religious events. The lower level was the best sight of the entire town. Everywhere you were to look was covered in painting, some allegorical scenes, historical scenes, one depicted hell, earth, and heaven, probably signifying judgment day. There were people on the left rising to heaven, and others on the right going down to hell. The entire place was covered in beautiful colors, including the ceiling which had a dark blue background with gold stars, symbolizing the heavens. I wish I could have taken so many pictures while we were inside, but no one is allowed to for fear of further deterioration of the art. The lowest level of the basilica is where the tomb of St. Francis is. This smaller area smelled of fresh cut flowers which were placed on the alter, simple stone all around. It was a very peaceful place.
Everywhere within the Basilica was absolutely beautiful, and outside there was a ledge, where you could overlook the rest of Assisi below. We had bad luck of crappy weather, but we made the best of it. On our way back to our hotel to get our bags to go back "home" to Rome, we stopped in a cute cafe and got some much needed espresso and delicious pastries. In the cafe, there was a dog (pug), who walked around like he
owned the place, and jumped up and sat on the chair like he wanted to order some pastry or gelato with us!
Basilica of St. Francis
Overlook by St. Francis Basilica
owned the place, and jumped up and sat on the chair like he wanted to order some pastry or gelato with us!
Adorable pug!
Went back to the hotel, gathered our things, and on our way back to the train, we had time to walk around and were able to see the Basilica of St. Maria degli Angeli, which was beautiful, with a large golden statue on the tip. Across the street from the Basilica was a flea market, where you could find anything you would ever want, from fur coats and hats, to jewelry, old postcards, light fixtures, and so much more. It was such an interesting place!
Basilica of St. Maria degli Angeli.
After those two long but productive, we made it on the train back to Rome to finish homework (bleh!) and sleep! I had a great weekend end of the weekend, and was able to get a lot accomplished!
No comments:
Post a Comment