Assisi

We encountered the heaviest rain we've seen for ages on our drive to Assisi today. It rained all the way there, eased whilst we got from the car park to the Basilica of San Francesco d' Assisi and poured for more than an hour after that.
Assisi is synonymous with Saint Francis because he was born there, died there and formed the Franciscan Order of monks there.

Due to the weather we had plenty of time to look at both the lower and upper basilicas, the crypt where St. Francis is buried and also an excellent museum of religious art. No photos were allowed in the basilicas.

The cloister was awash, then the rain cleared and in came a thick fog.

After lunch the fog cleared to a warm and sunny day and we were able to visit several of the other important places in Assisi. Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the third most visited Italian pilgrimage place for Christians. No matter how many thousands visit the town it retains its peace and serenity.

Look at the size of these meringues. They were 35 Euros a kilogram. Even I couldn't eat a kg of meringues!

As we left the sky was clearing. We took the scenic route home, enjoying the spectacular scenery and also the daily gelato in Torgiano, another beautiful Umbrian village.

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This photo was taken through the windscreen. I guess today's rain explains why the Green Heart of Italy looks like this at the end of summer.