Pieve San Nicolo

If one stands at the small piazza in front of Chiesa Santa Margherita overlooking the great Basilica of Saint Francis, one's eyes are drawn to the northwest and the idyllic Umbrian countryside extending up into the mountains.  It's a land of orchards, farms and forests.

Recently I walked up a road along a ridge to the left of the above region, intent on finding the distant community of Pieve San Nicolo (pop. 26).  Looking back provided some wonderful views of Mount Subasio.

After a wonderful morning stroll the nice hamlet of Pieve San Nicolo came into view.  The main structure seemed to be a church with a road curving up to it. 

On the front of the church was a poster asking the question (forgive my loose, freelance interpretation), "When does one find the time for God? (1) Too young to think of God.  (2) Too sure of oneself to think of God.  (3) Too tired to think of God.  (4) Too happy to think of God.  (5) Too busy to think of God.  (6) Too late to think of God." 

Across the road from the church was a vociferous, but friendly, dog.  His world consisted of a small fenced area which he shared with a propane tank, his little house, and flowers all about.  His job, it seemed, was to announce to all of Pieve San Nicolo that a visitor was about.

The day's real adventure began early on the way back,when I picked up a trail that runs from Assisi to Gubbio, a pathway that Francis followed.  A sign told a story, written in Italian and translated into English.  While the English translation may seem a bit rough, in truth it captures some of the expressive beauty of the Italian language.

In one of the most cold winters of San Francesco's youth he went far from Assisi without plan(n)ing before any important travel such as this, but it happened that he went through the road to Gubbio.  A friend, who San Francesco did not see for a long time, offered him hospitality in Gubbio.  The permanence of the saint in this town permitted him to consider himself under a wider light his commitment toward the suffering lepers and the excluded people from the society.  The path from Assisi-Valfabbrica-Gubbio is strongly dominated by San Francesco's spirit travel, which is represented by the chronicle described in the actual itinerary that is cor(r)espondent to the medieval road network.  People can become themselves as part of the nature and art of the path, which are Sa(n) Francesco's maturity essential aspects.  For instance, his love for creation and consciousness are part of the "church" community, and his continuous research in the peregrination is a fundamental element of stability and an achievement of the Christian "order".  The uniqueness of this path is to make us remember the Franciscan message in comparison to Francesco's suffering and cheerful life. 

Wonderfully, this path not only traces Francis' steps, it also passes through the countryside of the top photo.  Leaving the main road behind, first came a rocky path, then a string of rural roads.

The way was well marked.

And beautiful.

With signs of spring.

And interesting views of Assisi from a less travelled direction.

Finally, back up to town, after about a twelve mile walk.  Ciao.