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Assisi and the 1997 earthquakes
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In the spring of 1997, earthquakes brought part of Assisi's famed
Basilica
crashing down, killing four people and destroying some of the building's less significant frescoes. But on no account be put off. While the event made world headlines, the damage to the rest of the town was overstated, the epicentre actually being near Colfiorito. Occasional precautionary scaffolding aside, there are very few tangible signs that anything ever happened and none of the famous frescoes were greatly affected. After several years of intense international support and dedicated, detailed work, both the Basilica's
Lower Church
and the spectacular
Upper Church
are now open, along with every other important monument in the town, with the exception of the church of San Pietro. In short, the disruption has, in fact, only prompted structural improvements and an overall refurbishment for Assisi's intrinsic and undiminished medieval appeal. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Italy,
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