Santa Maria Degli Angeli
Discovering Santa Maria degli Angeli
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Santa Maria degli Angeli, a beautiful hamlet in the municipality of Assisi, in the province of Perugia. Located about 4 km south of Assisi, Santa Maria degli Angeli is entirely on the plain of the Umbrian Valley and is the most populous hamlet in the municipality. Its population is around 7719 inhabitants and most of the country's economy is based on tourism.
The history of Santa Maria degli Angeli
The town takes its name from the homonymous Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which dominates the entire plain at the foot of Assisi. The church was built in the sixteenth century, thanks to the request of Pope Pius V that the Porziuncola, a small chapel already existing, became a pilgrimage destination. The chapel had been restored by Saint Francis in the twelfth century and he died there in 1226. Since then, it has been identified by the name of Porziuncola.
In the area, around 1000, there was a vast forested area known as "Cerreto di Porziuncle". The chapel was then surrounded by a convent and some small chapels. In 1216, Saint Francis of Assisi received a vision in which Jesus communicated to him that whoever had visited the little church, duly confessed and communicated, would receive the forgiveness of sins. Pope Honorius III approved this indulgence and fixed the dates of August 1 and 2 each year as the "Feast of Forgiveness", which continues to attract a large number of religious tourists even today.
Economy of Santa Maria degli Angeli
The main industry in the town is represented by tourism, with many hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts (about 4000 beds) used by pilgrims visiting Assisi. In the town, there is also the railway station of the city of Assisi, along the Foligno-Terontola Railway. Santa Maria degli Angeli represents the industrial core of the territory, with foundries, mechanical industries, furniture factories and textile industries.
What to visit in Santa Maria degli Angeli
Santa Maria degli Angeli offers numerous tourist attractions, including the Porziuncola, one of the three churches restored by Saint Francis, next to which he died. The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, on the other hand, is an imposing church (126 × 65 m, with a dome 75 m high) in Baroque style, designed by Galeazzo Alessi. Inside the basilica, there is the Museum of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Furthermore, you can visit the Fontana delle Ventisei Cannelle, built on the side of the basilica by the Medici of Florence, the Palazzo del Capitano del Perdono, a two-story building with a beautiful façade characterized by a double arcade, which was the seat of the officer in charge of controlling the crowds of pilgrims who arrived during the Feast of Forgiveness. Don't miss the Strada Mattonata, an impressive brick path of about 3 km that connects Santa Maria degli Angeli to the acropolis of Assisi, following the path of an ancient route. Finally, you can visit the modern Teatro Lyrick, with 1,200 seats.
Conclusions
Santa Maria degli Angeli is a hamlet in the province of Perugia that is definitely worth a visit. The history of the town and its church is fascinating and offers visitors numerous opportunities to learn more about the area's history. Moreover, Santa Maria degli Angeli is a place of great tourist value, thanks to the many attractions and the variety of industries present in the territory. Come and visit it, you won't regret it!
