A hill to climb (Assisi, Italy 2/7/25)

When confronting the town, I felt the grandness of the town on the hill. While walking towards St. Francis Basilica I felt engulfed by the repetition of the arches on either side of me forcing my vison to focus on the multi-tiered basilica. For a moment I was able to break free of the gaze to the Basilica and wandered over to a barred window no larger than the size of my head to get a glance at the most stunning of views.

Pen sketch of St. Francis Basilica

The tiered basilica was amazing to walk inside of it was almost as being emersed into a different realm without thinking about the other because as my body was emersed so was my mind. In the moment I felt grounded under my gaze at the amazing art above. The courtyard between the two churches made me feel as if I were in a place I should not be yet wanted to stay. As I left the churches and cast my eyes upon the endless landscape I tried to think of how the beauty of what I had just seen been one upped. The streets of Assisi left me with a vast array of emotions.

View from outside of St. Francis Basilica

While the town was beautiful, I couldn't help but to feel forced down the street and against building by the endless parade of cars. This was only on the main street, on the unbeaten paths are where the true beauty and character of this town laid. On the journey up to the castle lookout I felt instincts take over almost like I had been there before. As we reached our final view at the top, I felt immersed in nature and had been given the deep satisfaction of an amazing journey.

View from the top of Assisi