The city of Assisi is built at the foot of Subasio Mountain. The Roman plan of the city is based on a set of terraces. Assisi represents an example of a medieval city-sanctuary with Umbrian-Roman origins. The most important event in the history of medieval Assisi was undoubtedly the life and work of Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who initiated the Franciscan Order and who was canonized in 1228.

Karen grew up in a Franciscan church, attended Franciscan schools, and identifies her spiritual life as Franciscan based. For Karen, Assisi is like coming home and introducing David to the stories and places that has it roots there. The stories and names of sisters and brothers in the Francis stories are as familiar as her own siblings. It is sooooo beautiful in Assisi. The Roman Assisi was a busy trading center but the city was passed over during other eras. Lucky for us, the original footprint of Assisi is still in place today. I am not sure the part of the trip I admired more: the beauty of the surrounding farm country, the medieval town, the homage to St Francis, or revisiting the Franciscan story in my head. It was a wonderful day, perhaps my favorite day in all of Italy; no surprise there.