As you pass through via S. Agnese, just a few metres from St. Clare’s square, you see an ancient 14th century stone arch on your left with a massive wooden Franciscan (18th century) door of the 18th century. Just above the arch there is a shrine dating back to 1330 portraying Our Lady and Jesus, St. Francis, St. Clare and other two Saints, St. Biagio and St. John the Baptist, by the same painter who decorated St. Damiano cloister (another important religious monument in the Franciscan history). From San Crispino Historical Residence, this ancient medieval complex, you can enjoy a superb panoramic view: on your left, the wonderful façade  of the Basilica of St. Clare, on your right the evocative view of S. Maria Maggiore, on the back the Dome of Chiesa Nova and St. Rufino Cathedral, on the top, the imposing Rocca Maggiore and, on the front, the green Umbrian valley surrounded by soft rolling hills.

 

After you close the heavy entrance door and find yourself in the complex, you have the feeling of losing space and time: you are steeped in a silent, evocative and intimate atmosphere: you find yourself in an ancient but perfectly preserved structure with all the comforts you may desire for your stay. You can sense ancient memories in one of the 7 independent apartments named after the elements of St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures”: Frate foco (Brother Fire), Madre Terra (Mother Earth), Sora Luna e Le Stelle (Sister Moon and Stars), Sora Acqua (Sister Water), Frate Vento (Brother Wind), Frate Sole (Brother Sun) and Beatitudo (Beatitude).