Travelling with the Saints

Technical Information

Cartina Itinerario

Dislivello

• Dates = Can start any date from March to November

• Grade = EASY

• Starting and finishing point = Santa Maria degli Angeli

• Distance = 45 Km

• Road surface = Asphalt

• Recommended type of bike = All kinds of bikes

• Drinking fountains during the trip = 11

The journey begins from Santa Maria degli Angeli station which is at the foot of Assisi. Famous for its great saint St. Francis, Assisi has many inspiring art work and buildings to visit. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli which covers the small Porziuncola Chapel where St. Francis died. We will then take a scenic country road till we reach Foligno. An interesting fact about this ancient town, famous for “Giostra della Quintana,” is that it is considered by some the geographical centre of the world. We then leave Foligno and carry on to Bevagna, a village with one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Travelling along the road that circles the Martani Hills we will arrive at Montefalco. This village, named “Umbria’s Terrace” because of its amazing geographical position at the summit of an outlook point that descends into Foligno.

 This itinerary "Travelling with the Saints" visits :

• Santa Maria degli Angeli: 
  

is situated in the valley facing Mount Subasio and is about 4 km from Assisi. The village is named after the imposing basilica built in 1569 and designed by Galeazzo Alessi. Inside, beneath the imposing dome, lies the Porziuncola. S. Francis. After restoring the Porziuncola, which, at the time, was hidden in the woods, he often used this chapel as a retreat.The Basilica includes a museum containing priceless paintings and precious sacred objects one of the most famous works being a large terracotta statue by Andrea della Robbia dating from the end of 1500 approx.

• Assisi: 

positioned on the slopes of Mount Subasio, offers breathtaking views of the green Umbrian valley below. It was originally a small village inhabited by Umbrians and under the control of the Etruscans until 295 BC when the Romans took over. Assisi is known mainly for St.Francesco who, after his death in 1226, became a symbol of peace and brotherhood among all peoples of the earth. In 2000 Assisi was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Spello: 

just a few kilometres away from Assisi, is also positioned on Mount Subasio at the same altitude. Also, like Assisi, it is surrounded by beautiful olive groves, cypress and oak trees and stunning views. This description could easily take us back to the time of the Emperor Augustus who on seeing the beauty of this area he described it as “splendissima colonia Julia”. In amongst its long winding streets and alleyways, with its fine art and beautiful churches, this town also offers delicious, traditional, Umbrian restaurants.

• Foligno: 

Like Santa Maria degli Angeli, Foligno stretches along the valley between Mount Subasio and The Martani Mountains.
As you ride through the mainly pedestrianized center of the town you can really admire Foligno’s history and culture in all its beauty.
Piazza della Repubblica was considered the hub of city life in ancient times where trade and barter took place among farmers in the surrounding areas. Still today people from all over central Italy come there to set prices on wheat, olives, animals and vegetables. This ‘piazza’ square is steeped in medieval beauty and splendor. The Duomo and the Palazzo Comunale of the thirteenth century are just two of many fine architectural works.
Bevagna:
This pretty village between Montefalco and Foligno contains a fascinating mix of Roman and Medieval architecture. Bevagna today is famous for the Gaite celebrations which takes place every year from June 17th to 27th. It offers tourists historical re-enactments of medieval crafts such as glass making, blacksmiths at work, demonstrations of silkworm breeding and much more.

Photogallery of  “Travelling with the Saints”