St. Francis' Way - Page 5

Gubbio - Valfabbrica

In the morning the route passed by the Chiesa della Vittorina, the small church with ancient frescoes occupies an important place in the history of Francis. The rest of the way is straight and flat for kilometers through suburban settlements of Gubbio. After a few more kilometers, including heavily traveled roads, we went again into the mountainous nature. Before, without asking, a strange guy joined us. His wife would always drop him off somewhere with the camper, so that he can walk the Francis Way. Fortunately, then came a creek, that was too much for the braggart and he turned back. Funny people are there 🙂.

Then it went steeply up, from there we had a wonderful view back to Gubbio. We passed some idyllic agriturismo's, an old chapel and farms. On one farm three old people sat on the bench and looked contentedly in the air. We asked for water and they showed us very friendly the place to refuel. How happy they looked, super. On the way we passed another agriturismo and Biscina Castle. Up to here we had wonderful views over the countryside, then it was back into the woods. Many steep ascents and descents followed, before we saw Valfabbrica down in the valley. Before still a fright second, when leaving their property left some Italians their gates open and few dogs ran after us.

As we dragged our sticks behind us, they soon turned back. So we took the last kilometers of asphalt under the feet and arrived relatively late in Valfabbrica. The hostel Ostello Francescano (39 € per person with half board) was already full of pilgrims, funny when you meet no one on the way. However, we got our room, did the most necessary and quickly tried to enjoy the afternoon sun in a cafe. The multi-course dinner was taken here together, different nations were represented, it was a funny round. Therefore, there was house wine today 😉.

Valfabbrica - Assisi

Today it was an extra short route, we had planned a lot of time for our destination Assisi. Only once was the path steeply uphill, at the top we then also rested in the shade at a few benches. Along beautiful green cornfields and meadows the following dirt road went downhill, in the distance we could already see Assisi. Before we turn left in the suburb the asphalt road, we still see the statue of the very popular Padre Pio, whose hometown Pietrelcina I visited on the Jerusalem Way. After crossing the Ponte S. Croce we took another break by the river, Manu visited the beautiful garden next to the building in the valley. Then we went parallel to the busy road up the hillside towards the city center.

We saw the peace bell with the symbols of the 4 world religions, beautifully designed and a little later we entered through the city wall the Square with the Basilica. A look to the right and an impressive scenery presented itself. The beautiful St. Francis Basilica and behind it a amazing view of the surrounding area. In the front garden of the building, the beautifully manicured lawn with the vine-red dew and the statue of Francis when he was still an unfortunate knight. We took turns visiting the interior of the basilica, as the strict controls did not allow us to take our backpacks with us. The interior of the building was also beautiful, if a bit gloomy. A description I leave out, one finds enough pictures online.

After exploring the great building extensively, we looked for our accommodation, which turned out to be not easy. Assisi has many winding narrow streets, and today there was a lot of activity here because of the medieval festival. Only hours later, after what felt like 100 misinformation we found Camere Santa Chiara (double room 58 € without breakfast). We were here early and still had time to look at the rest of Assisi. To the Medieval Festival Square we were not allowed, the square was closed. So we walked to the highest point, a castle, the Rocca Maggiore, with a gigantic view of the surrounding countryside. After that we visited the Basilica di S. Chiara and the Piazza San Rufino with the cathedral. As dusk fell, we walked again to the basilica to view the building in the glow of the setting sun, wonderful.

The restaurant where we ate dinner was not so good, an unfunny older lady took forever to bring the equally bad food. Was also difficult today, because of the festival, to choose the location. But our day was successful, wonderful place, top weather, so what.