Sanctuary of La Verna--Where Francis received the Stigmata
North of Arezzo is a popular shrine in the mountains with some fabulous views of the countryside. The road from Michelangelo Caprese, where Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in 1475, winds up the wooded slopes of Mt. Sovaggio on the way to Mt. Penna, given to Francis by Count Orlando of Chuisi in 1213. Francis had a camp at la Penna in an area of strange rock formations in the forest known as La Verna, now a series of buildings from different eras that make up a sanctuary. It was here that Francis received the stigmata in 1224. Families still gather at the small Sanctuary, and a network of paths web the mountains.
A walk through the forest leading to the summit of Monte Penna gives you a wide panorama view of the Tiber and the Arno valleys.
Staying nearby La Verna
Simonicchi sounds nice. There is also Camping.
Assisi Endnotes:
You can hike 15km from Assisi to Spello (seven hours) and take train back.
The Basilica of St Francis is the only sovereign land owned by the Vatican outside Rome's Vatican City.
