Stage 16.B: Perugia - Assisi

The last 25 km leading first to Santa Maria degli Angeli, the place of the first Franciscan community, and then to Assisi, to conclude the journey at the tomb of St Francis inside the Basilica of St Francis.

The journey takes you through densely inhabited areas, although the charm of the invocation remains. In fact, on the way from Perugia to Santa Maria degli Angeli, St Francis explained to Friar Leone what the “perfect joy” was and how to achieve it. Also along this stretch of the journey, the “Peace March”, conceived by Aldo Capitini in 1961, takes place.

The route starts from the old town centre of Perugia and descends towards the valley. Once you have reached Ponte San Giovanni, after a stretch along the Tiber River, you continue along a tarmac road and partly on a dirt road until you reach Santa Maria degli Angeli. It is a must to visit to the places in which the presence of the Poverello d'Assisi (Poor man of Assisi) and the Order of Friars Minor can still be felt.

From the basilica, you take the Strada mattonata (Brick road). From here, we can see our destination: the Basilica of St Francis. The Brick Road continues on and, after a flight of steps, you turn left in order to reach Porta San Pietro and Assisi.

After crossing the square you will get to the Basilica of St Francis, where the journey comes to an end in front of the tomb of St Francis.