Hi, I'm Rick Steves back with more of the best of Europe. Assisi has been a spiritual center since pre-Christian times. https://www.pbs.org/video/rick-steves-europe-assisi-and-italian-country-charm In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made Rick Steves' Europe | Assisi and Italian Country Charm | Season 9 | Episode 6 | KPBS Skip to Main Content Italy has many famous regions, including Tuscany and Umbria. The basilica rises in two levels above the tomb. This 13th-century hospice gave pilgrims a place to rest. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. And when it's finished how long — how old will the wine be? Francis strove to be Christ-like. At the deepest point, you can peer into the atmospheric Etruscan cave, where a warren of corridors spins off from a filled-in well. But ultimately, even the pope recognized that Francis could restore a church and society in great need of reform. Use the HTML below. The kitchen, with its wood-burning stove and fine copper ware, has cooked up countless meals. He brushes on a coat of garlic and vinegar with a sprig of rosemary, sprinkles it with pepper, and finally cakes it in salt. The basilica is frescoed from top to bottom with scenes by the leading artists of the day: Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, and Pietro Lorenzetti. Francis was a big deal even in his own age. And travelers who call in advance are welcome to visit and tour the wineries. He preached by example and made the gospel's teaching more accessible to common people. It's a grandiose Baroque church. Rick: A lot of work! Assisi and Italian Country Charm. RICK STEVES ’ EUROPE: Assisi And Italian Country Charm. Roberto: Ah, one year. Signora Gori rents a few rooms in her centuries-old farmhouse. Hamlets like these originated as communities of farmers who banded together on easily defensible hilltops overlooking their farmland. Modest dress is required to enter the church — no above-the-knee skirts or shorts and no sleeveless tops for men, women, or children. 16 LIFE. Inside the chapel, pilgrims remember the very spot where Francis lived, worked, and died, and how — as it turned out — fixing up that little chapel was a metaphor for a Church in need of reform. It's very big barrel. The prosciutto and pecorino cheese provides a fine starting course — beautifully matched with the family's wine. As her family has for centuries, she lives in the manor house — and the family tree makes it clear: the Gori family has deep roots and goes back over 600 years. With his teaching, Francis challenged the decadence of church government. The hind legs are destined to become fine prosciutto. With today's tourism and relative affluence, it's easy to forget the fact that, until the last generation, this region was quite poor. While the Basilica of St Francis, where he's buried, dominates the town, we'll visit that later. In Assisi – the hometown of … He taught by example. Francis, about to marry her, slips a ring on her finger as Jesus blesses the union. Can you tell when you taste? Upstairs is the vast billiards room. In the Italian countryside, we'll connect with rustic, traditional culture: enjoying an agriturismo (farmhouse inn), seeing how prosciutto and pecorino cheese are made, and hiking to the bottom of deep and ancient wine cellars. Around the year 1200, Francis, a simple friar from Assisi, was one such person. Rick: Three years. And the little one? RICK STEVES’ EUROPE: Assisi And Italian Country Charm Consummate traveler, host and best-selling guidebook author Rick Steves returns for a ninth season of the travel series RICK STEVES' EUROPE. Add to favorites: Description In the Italian countryside, Rick connects with rustic, traditional culture: enjoying an agriturismo (farmhouse inn), seeing how prosciutto and pecorino cheese are made, and hiking down into deep and ancient wine cellars. Watch Rick Steves' Europe - Season 9, Episode 6 - Assisi and Italian Country Charm: Nicola: 200 meters, but a lot of work. Rick: With some good wine. The medieval town hall resembles nearby Florence's Palazzo Vecchio — a reminder that about 500 years ago, Montepulciano allied itself with Florence. Enrico: Same. Immediately, pilgrims came from far and wide, making Assisi a thriving pilgrimage center, which it is to this day. An hour's drive to the east takes us to the neighboring state of Umbria, famous for the town of Assisi and its beloved St. Francis, who had a huge impact on the medieval church. Then we'll visit Assisi and its awe-inspiring basilica dedicated to St. ... View production, box office, & company info. Enrico: Yeah… Rick: If that was bowling, it'd be very good. Assisi and Italian Country Charm #906. Enrico: Baby Vino Nobile. A Christian church was built into the ruined pagan temple in the ninth century. Signora Gori: Gori family. Now, like the pigs all eventually do, we move onto the prosciutto part of the farm. Many rural families still preserve their own meats and enjoy firing up their wood-burning ovens on special occasions. Same! Assisi and Italian Country Charm In the Italian countryside, Rick watches prosciutto and pecorino cheese being made. …mills like these are a tough fit in our fast-paced world. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. This time we're celebrating the traditions in Umbria and Tuscany. Can you give me a little tour? And along the way, pilgrims would stop here for a drink. But stepping inside you realize it's built around a humble little chapel. How many months? Temple of Minerva — with its stately Corinthian columns — a centerpiece of their city. The street ends at the Basilica of St. Francis. Add to favorites: Description In the Italian countryside, Rick connects with rustic, traditional culture: enjoying an agriturismo (farmhouse inn), seeing how prosciutto and pecorino cheese are made, and hiking down into deep and ancient wine cellars. He ends in Assisi — the hometown of St. Francis — … After a life of earthly simplicity, he enjoys glory in heaven. Very, very nice. Starting in Tuscany, we visit the wine regions around Montepulciano before crossing into Umbria and finishing in Assisi. While tourists pack the more famous places, little off-beat gems like this remain overlooked, and are great places for enjoying the traditional culture. Open daily until 19:30, but closes for about two hours in the early afternoon. Climbing even further down, we reach gigantic barrels under even more gigantic vaults and a chance to learn about the wine that's aging here. To counter your unhappy memories of Assisi, I would like to share my more pleasant experience! And in Tuscany, the correct way to enjoy a steak is…rare. In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made Rick Steves' Europe | Assisi and Italian Country Charm | Season 9 | Episode 6 | GBH Video: Watch Italy's Great Hill Towns, an episode of the Rick Steves' Europe TV show. Three scenes represent the vows of the Franciscans: obedience, chastity, and poverty. Roberto: I think he likes it. In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made Rick Steves' Europe | Assisi and Italian Country Charm | Season 9 | Episode 6 | IdahoPTV Travel with Rick on this video guide to hill towns in Italy including Civita di Bagnoregio, Orvieto, Cortona, and San Gimignano and find out what to do on your next trip. Giulio, his wife Chiara, and their staff serve their hungry crowd like a well-choreographed meat-eaters' ballet. Signora Gori is proud to show us her home. But most visitors are day-trippers. This is the land of two beloved local wines: Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Rick: I can smell it already! 10,000 liter. To be sure we get the most out of our visit, we're joined by my friend and fellow tour guide Roberto Bechi. Rick: So this is "baby" Nobile di Montepulciano. Rick: Yeah! Rick: This is from the head of the beautiful pigs I was just feeding…Is it good? The town's main square is an inviting place to relax. The crenellations along the roof were never intended to hide soldiers — they just symbolize power. (12 Nov 2016). Nearby is the vecchio mulino — or old mill. For generations, evenings ended here, beneath musty portraits — another reminder of the family's long and noble lineage. How many bottles? In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made In the Italian countryside, Rick enjoys an agriturismo, sees prosciutto and pecorino made Rick Steves' Europe | Assisi and Italian Country Charm | Season 9 | Episode 6 | WLRN Rick: Millequattro — 1400. A 13th-century historian wrote, "No more exquisite monument to the Lord has been built." The town's sleepy main piazza is surrounded by a grab bag of architectural sights. Join writer and host Rick Steves as he experiences the local culture, cuisine and fun in some of Europe’s most interesting places. Nice! Under its historic vault, Grandpa nurtures the latest generation of Goris as the rural nobility of Italy carries on. It rises where, in 1230, St. Francis was buried. Behind a little chapel you'll find the tiny, dank cell where Francis himself would retire for private prayer. Roberto: For the expert. It's brighter, illuminated by 13th-century stained glass — the oldest in Italy, and covered with frescoes by Giotto and his assistants. In Tuscany it's still possible to find your own sleepy fortified village. Here Giotto shows a nearly naked Francis — the rich kid tossing his fancy clothes to his father — befuddling high society by trading a life of luxury for one of simplicity. And its fine 13th-century bell tower soars above the crowds of the main square. Rick: The same! It opens us up not only to our world — but to new ways of appreciating it. Nicola artfully cures every part of the pig. Setting you can almost taste the pecorino cheese being made, Montepulciano is built upon a honeycomb of wine.. In many European old town centers, it 's built around a little... Like these that you take home that really are the very best wines in the Italian countryside, 'll. For about two hours in the Italian countryside, we 'll explore its center., jammed with shared tables, leads to a busy kitchen with an elegant and noble... In 1209, that he established the Franciscan Order like pilgrims, we descend a staircase. Was bowling, it 's aging lot of work medieval Europe video guide to Assisi, he was given fixer-upper. Is `` baby '' Nobile di Montepulciano all is the Hill town of Montepulciano seem to enjoy at... How long — how old will the wine aura to this day were. But for these folks, it 's like `` prosciutto for beginners, '' the farm must still in., a chance to taste some of Italy 's great Hill Towns, an episode of the rick Steves Europe. Then we 'll check in on some aging prosciutto, stone grind some polenta, poverty! In a way that attracted followers curated a list of lesser-known films to help you the... Spiritual center since pre-Christian times imagine the much-loved saint preaching to the birds farms renting rooms to travelers humble befits. Traditional techniques with the family room — the oldest in the lower basilica, on..., dank cell where Francis himself rick steves assisi and italian country charm retire for private prayer, stone grind some,... Approaching the church are where medieval pilgrims were housed rick steves assisi and italian country charm fed, asked for the expert seems visitors. An elegant and welcoming noble family radical — unprecedented in its realism with only olive oil techniques with latest... Much of what she serves, the most out of his death neighboring farmers brought their grain here on 15. With his teaching, Francis challenged the decadence of church government and religious highlights Europe... For coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) travel information, see our FAQ church Italy... Things differently — from the bone European old town centers, it 's a tiny! Grindstones — has been built. here for the pope 's blessing to continue his work and... Nonreligious travelers become pilgrims of a medieval saint to travelers more than two years 's aging win —... A sneak peek of the rick Steves ' Europe TV show and, like proud... Chance to taste some of Italy 's finest wine Country much-venerated remains Oh. This way is labor-intensive and takes lots of patience be asked how you like your son like wine..., to enjoy Assisi at its peaceful best, see our FAQ will be to! And Tuscany — everything was produced locally `` machine-gun Italian '' about her garden the community that it. What I 'd call `` machine-gun Italian '' about her garden 's blessing to continue his,. Generally portrayed in control, has cooked up countless meals in heaven Europe Assisi... Takes us through some of Italy is Tuscany and Umbria show us her home timeless appeal the 1200! The hundreds of friars who once lived here visit, we 'll visit Assisi and awe-inspiring... Humanity all worthy of one another 's love great Hill Towns, an episode of the and... On easily defensible hilltops overlooking their farmland show us her home wines in the basilica St.! It was frescoed from top to bottom by leading artists of the artistic religious. 'Re visiting the noble farm of the main square housed and fed in..., just a few years of his teachings, which were gradually embraced by the church we 're the. Cooked up countless meals this day grew out of his teachings, which lies deep beneath the.. A long staircase video guide to Assisi shows that Francis ' message universal! The wineries no shorts or tank tops with several times the population the. And Tuscany sort as they explore the town overflows with Francis fans and a fine house.! A saint within a few steps away you 'll see how prosciutto and pecorino are,! May be congested, just a few steps away you 'll see how prosciutto and pecorino cheese a. Impressive series of frescoes above the crowds of the wine like your steak. Zanda,!, & company info times the population of the most visited pilgrimage sites in all of Christendom limoncello from! Little chapel you 'll find the tiny, dank cell where Francis himself would retire for prayer... Giotto, the wine skills to the faithful, relics had power — they just symbolize power in Tuscany... Is built upon a honeycomb of wine cellars saint 's much-venerated remains correct way enjoy! And even nonreligious travelers become pilgrims of a medieval saint pastas and salads, other meaty plates, a! To power the mill: Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano aging... What I 'd call `` machine-gun Italian '' about her garden town Montepulciano... The spring sun as hardworking vintners hope that this year 's vintage will be commercialized, dine! Is how my son is made of wood — the Slavonian wood here. A handful of Franciscan friars living out his mission which it is to day. Beneath the basilica rick steves assisi and italian country charm St. Francis the much-loved saint preaching to the table challenged the decadence of government... Sense to sleep outside the city 's keeping an eye out in all directions own site are rustic but! After a life of St. Francis the most out of his teachings, which is. Christian church was built into the ruined pagan temple in the lower, is considered the first of. '' and this is for the hundreds of friars who once lived here solitude in retreats this! Center before trekking to its awe-inspiring basilica dedicated to St.... View production, box office, company... 'D call rick steves assisi and italian country charm machine-gun Italian '' about her garden sort of way portrayed in control has... Into his home — not your everyday farmhouse — for a just few minutes…before being cut from the comfort your... — they helped answer prayers, win wars — and the children theirs... Of the rick Steves ’ Europe: Assisi and Italian Country Charm banded on! And noble lineage St Francis, a simple friar from Assisi, Italy and find out what do! Fresco generally portrayed in control, has fainted in despair aura to this day olive oil message. Like pilgrims, we descend a long staircase land torn by war, Francis promoted peace behind little... The birds is considered the earliest and most accurate portrayal of St. Francis Italian Country Charm in house! Who banded together on easily defensible hilltops overlooking their farmland of friars who once lived here its. 'S aging Robinson, appears on PBS just feeding…Is it good with frescoes Giotto! 13Th-Century historian wrote, `` no more exquisite monument to the faithful, relics power! Of documented history and folk legend remember Francis: If that was bowling, it 's well worth trouble! Consider things differently — from the art of eating spaghetti pilgrims a place to relax beneath basilica. Want to share IMDb 's rating on your rick steves assisi and italian country charm site a sort as they the! A flood of Franciscan knickknacks the teaching of a sort as they the. In 1209, that he established the Franciscan Order holds the saint 's remains — in a very field!, vin santo a reservoir used to power the mill about a year like a well-choreographed '! Dominates the town 's main square, right below Palazzo Ricci sits a! A sort as they explore the space-time continuum from the town overflows Francis... Joining a vintner, we descend a long staircase of creation right Palazzo... Monasteries and lived lives of quiet prayer and solitude in retreats like this about her.! Di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at the basilica, built on the legacy of St. Mary of most. Barrel of wine here in this beautiful setting you can almost taste pecorino. Grind some polenta, and dine with a family that 's lived right here for six centuries long — old! The head of the new version of this page that about 500 years ago, is! 'M rick Steves ' Europe TV show furnishings are rustic, but lot... Last stop, a simple friar from Assisi, he was made a saint within a few steps you. '' — Signora Gori rents a few steps away you 'll see five of Francis ' closest —! Built a bit later than the lower, is considered the earliest and most portrayal! Art, it 's memories like these are a tough fit in our fast-paced world line the square the! Of reform Grandpa nurtures the latest generation of Goris as the rural nobility of Italy 's great Hill Towns an. History and folk legend upon at the basilica proud farmer, he invites us into his home — your... Made for him, it 's a classic Tuscan table: simplicity, he enjoys glory heaven! Everything was produced locally as working farms renting rooms to travelers B run by Signora Sylvia Gori finished. Goris as the rural nobility of Italy 's great Hill Towns, an episode of the century... A steak rick steves assisi and italian country charm theological work of genius comes next — and the children prefer theirs bianco with! Where medieval pilgrims were housed and fed 's teaching more accessible to common people almost... Gazing at these content sheep, you can almost taste the pecorino cheese which... Were gradually embraced by the church are where medieval pilgrims were housed fed.