Stage 14: Foligno - Assisi

Basilica of St Francis, where the long journey ends in front of the tomb of the 'Poor Little Man.' If the anticipation of your arrival makes you want to pick up the pace, our advice is to slow down, so you can fully enjoy the last part of the journey.

Starting from Foligno Cathedral, you cross Piazza San Giacomo, with the Church of St James (the patron saint of pilgrims), before continuing over the bridge across the River Topino.

After a stretch of about six kilometres on minor roads, you enter Spello, passing through the monumental archway, Porta Consolare.

The town is worth visiting for its rich art heritage.  

From Spello, you can decide whether to take the more challenging hiking route - almost entirely through the woods of the Mount Subasio Regional Park - or follow the gentler route along the hillside. To follow the latter, you leave the city through Porta Montanara and then take a gentle walk on the slopes of Mount Subasio along the Via degli Ulivi.

There is only one way up, but it is an easy climb. Once in Assisi, the footsteps of Francis join those of Clare. In fact, you first reach the Basilica of St Clare and then the Basilica of St Francis.

Finally, the reward of your pilgrimage will be to stop in the half-light of the Lower Basilica, in front of the Tomb of St Francis.

The trail continues downhill towards the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, inside which is the Porziuncola, the place where the first Franciscan community was established.

There are many places associated with Francis in and around Assisi. You will need to stay for at least a day, to have time to visit them and meditate.