Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans in the 13th century. Francis was inspired to lead a Christian life of poverty as a beggar and itinerant preacher, and there are hundreds of works of art honouring this extraordinary man in and around Assisi.
Italians can squeeze into the tightest parking spaces and are confident whizzing through the narrow streets of their ancient towns, so travelers are wise to walk and park with caution.