In the green heart of the Umbria region, Assisi is a jewel of italian art and architecture, home of St. Francis, one of Italy's most loved saints. The real Italy, far away from the modern large cities, where small ancient villages are waiting to be discovered
Around 1180 Saint Francis was born, the most famous of the sons of Assisi. The son of Pietro di Bernardone, a rich merchant, he grew as a young nobles of Assisi. During a war between Assisi and Perugia, he was held prisoner for several months in 1202. Dissatisfied with his life, he turned to prayer and service to the poor, and in 1206 he publicly renounced his father's wealth. Pope Innocent III approved his way of life, gave him and his disciples permission to preach on moral topics, and had Francis ordained a deacon. The city was under the imperial and then papal rule.  Lately, in the nineteen century the city joined the newly born Italian state, together with other Umbrian cities.