ASSISI
The town is a succession of memorable works: from the summit of the city walls rise the military outlines of the Rocca Maggiore (12th century) and of the Rocca Minore, but the eye is drawn even more strongly towards the Basilica of St. Francis, the two parts of which (the lower part in 1228-30, the upper part in 1230-53) were begun only two years after the death of the saint in 1226. Cimabue, Giotto, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini bestowed it with an everlasting value in their frescoes. Further precious, artistic evidence can be found in the Romanesque church of St. Rufino and in the Gothic basilica of St. Chiara. Piazza del Comune, where St. Francis pronounced his renunciation of his family heritage wedges the Roman temple to Minerva (1st century B.C.) between Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo del Popolo and hides the Museum and Roman Forum below ground level. The Gallery of Contemprary Art adds to the sacred heritage: De Chirico, Rosai, Greco, Carrà and Rouault (just a few of those present) are linked in Christological artistic production.