"For religious people and others"
Tour
From Podere Grotta Antica, there is a route that follows in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in the world. It is a journey that speaks not only of faith, but also of nature, silence, and beauty, capable of touching the heart of anyone, believer or not.
The first stop is the Hermitage of the Carceri, a refuge nestled in the woods of Mount Subasio. Here, St. Francis and his companions would retreat to pray and meditate far from the world. Walking among the centuries-old holm oaks and small stone oratories is like entering a suspended place, where silence becomes an inner voice.
We then descend towards Assisi, the beating heart of Franciscan history. The Basilica of St. Francis houses the famous frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue, which recount the life of the saint with colors and images that still move us today. Walking through the medieval alleys of the village, you can breathe in an authentic atmosphere, made up of spirituality, art, and lively everyday life.
Just outside the city walls lies the Hermitage of San Damiano, the place where, according to tradition, Francis received the call from the Crucified Christ to “repair his house.” Saint Clare also lived here, giving life to a community of faith and devotion. The simple and intimate setting invites meditation and contemplation.
The route ends at the foot of the city, in Santa Maria degli Angeli, home to the Porziuncola, the small church so beloved by Francis. It was here that he founded the Order of Friars Minor, and here that he always returned to find peace and simplicity. Entering this place means getting closer to the very essence of his spirituality.
A tour that intertwines faith, nature, and art, recounting the life of a man who, with humility and love, left an eternal mark.
The tour “For religious people and others” is a journey that goes beyond devotion: it is an encounter with timeless values, with landscapes that invite silence, and with a saint who knew how to speak to the soul of the world. Returning to Podere Grotta Antica, you will take with you a sense of peace and wonder that comes from having walked in the footsteps of Francis.