Medieval Assisi of Rome

Medieval Assisi of Rome

The small medieval town of Assisi is perched high on a hill in the Umbria region of Italy. 

It is best known as the birth place of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy.  Assisi has winding medieval streets, roman ruins and sacred shrines but its main attraction is the 13^th century Basilica di San Francesco. 

 

 

 

During WWII hundreds of refugees of the Jewish faith were hidden in various secure places within Assisi with the majority of them in a space located between the lower and upper sanctuaries of the Basilica.  Bishop Nicolini and Father Aldo Brunacci were instrumental organizing the effort to provide refugees with basic needs like clothing and shelter and paperwork if needed.  Father Aldo Brunacci known as “Don Aldo” carried out some of the most sensitive logistical efforts, especially with respect to obtaining false identities for the Jews, which allowed them to obtain ration cards and even to live openly in hotels or private homes under their assumed identities.  Below is the actual printing press used to create identities that saved hundreds of lives.

Additional sights we enjoyed while freely strolling through Assisi.

 

 

 

More coming soon!

Jan 🌷🌷🐾🐾