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Report 1051: Forgotten Province - Abruzzo - and Associated Travel

By davidx from UK, Spring 2006

Page 11 of 12: Spello, Assisi and Perugia

Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi.

The latter part of our trip had a marked difference from previous parts. Although we stayed in Spello rather than the more famous cities of Assisi or Perugia, we had every intention of visiting those cities from Spello. Because these cities are well written up, I shall confine myself to my own impressions and not attempt to describe them.

That leaves Spello. This is another hill village but the hill is nothing like so brutal as that at Trevi. We had stopped at the station on the way down and thought the village looked great. No doubt if we had stayed there then, instead of Trevi, we should have confirmed that impression. As it was, we were a little disappointed in the upper parts of the village. Places with visual appeal were far apart and views out fell short of our expectations. However the entrance to the old village through its wall, near the station, was all you might wish.

We were a bit depressed at finding neither bus nor bus stop and seeing what transpired as being the only taxi departing as we arrived! Life improved when we realized we didn't have to ascend the hill to reach our hotel. Walking up later without backpacks was a different thing altogether.

At Assisi we expected both great sights and queues but we were not really prepared for the magnitude of either. I wonder whether it's ever possible to see those lovely streets and squares less crowded. Of course the Basilica di San Francesco impressed us mightily.

Perugia was crowded but less than Assisi. The views from behind the Piazza Italia at the top of the city were terrific and we were amazed by the old defensive tunnels under the rock with a more modern string of escalators. Again we expected some palatial buildings but the splendor of the top of the city still astonished us.

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