This is the center of the city and is thus the heart of Assisi's social, cultural and political life. Like the rest of the historic town center, the square is very well-preserved and its buildings have witnessed all the city's vicissitudes over the centuries.
Roman ForumThe Forum boasts inscriptions, epigraphs, sarcophagi, parts of columns, statues and capital dating to the Roman era. After passing through the entry hall (the Crypt of St. Nicholas), the visitor then goes down a long and characteristic corridor leading to what was once the ancient town square, which still preserves the paving and base of a Roman temple. The archeological area has recently been restructured to make it more enjoyable for the public.
It was built in 1282 and was the headquarters of the Captain of the People, who was the head of the city militia. Towards the end of the fourteenth century, it became the residence of the Podestà, or the Papal Vicar. It was not until later that it began to be used for other purposes, but it kept its original name nevertheless. It is composed of three floors with a row of four windows on each floor. There are four doors at the base of the building, while the top features Guelph battlement. It is now houses the International Society of Franciscan Studies.
The Tower of the PeopleThe tower has a square layout and was built during the last half of the thirteenth century. However, it was built in several stages and the top floor was not completed until 1305. The clock was mounted during the middle of the fifteenth century. In the past, the tower housed the City Land Registry and the Board of Notaries. In 1926, the Bell of Lauds was put in. The bell, which weighs 4000 kilograms, was donated to the city of Assisi by the Communes of Italy and the Canticle of Brother Sun is inscribed on it.
Temple of MinervaIts elegant façade, with its six channeled columns and Corinthian capitals, is the impressive relic left to us from the Roman era. The temple, which was dedicated to the goddess Minerva, was later transformed into a Christian church (St. Mary over Minerva) and dates to the first century AD In the past, it was also the headquarters of the Captain of the People.
FountainThe fountain was built by Giovanni Martinucci in 1762.
It is constituted by three sections that were built at different times. As its name suggests, it was the residence of the Priors of the City. The oldest section is the one closest to the fountain (13th century) and it was restored in 1926. After this, the middle section was built (again, 13th century), whereas the third section dates to the fifteenth century. The Palace now houses City Hall, other public offices and the City Art Gallery.
The Art Gallery was moved to this site on the Main Square in 1933 through the efforts of historian Arnaldo Fortini, podestà of Assisi, who wanted to give a more worthy setting to the large collection of the numerous works the gallery was to contain. Starting in 1974, further work was done to arrange the collection (over one hundred work) as it appears today. Highlights of the collection include: the Maestà, the Virgin with Jesus on the Throne, Three Men at Arms, Madonna with Jesus and St. Francis.
This is located near the Hall of the Vaults and is organized by the Academy of Artisans. The exhibit contains a vast collection of the thriving Umbrian craftsmanship tradition. A full range of crafts can be seen here: Orvieto lace, pillow lace, Assisi cross-stitch embroidery, hand-woven fabrics, hand weapons, crossbows, ceramics, stonework, terra-cotta, handmade tiles, hand-decorated glass and mirrors, inlaid wood and wooden carvings.
"Published by and reprinted with the kind permission of In Italy Online."
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