RESIDENCE SAN CRISPINO

Description:
When you go from Santa Maria degli Angeli towards Assisi, you find – if the season is right - an enormous field full of sunflowers just before the junction on your left. The sight is familiar: meters-high flowers, with their faces always turned towards the sun. But here it seems as if all have their flowery hearts turned direction Assisi. From this point, you could climb to the city via a rather recently built staircase. On each step, you will find the names of those who donated money towards the rebuilding of the town after the last earthquake when especially the Church of the Holy Francis suffered terribly. But now, all has been restored in its ancient-old glory and the city appears, “as ever”, age-old but strangely untouched by time.

When at sundown the last sunrays cast a rosy glow on all the buildings, and you realise that countless people already walked here, will still be walking here and all had and will have their own, particular reasons, even the most jaded cynic will surely be impressed. To describe the special atmosphere of Assisi means to diminish it. You have to go there and feel it for yourself. So, therefore, go and sit down somewhere – on a little stone wall, or, more comfortable, in a café or on a terrace. Forget yourself, your own day-to-day life and just “be”. You get absorbed into the very special atmosphere created by the most famous Saint of all times, Francis of Assissi. You do not have to admit this to anybody, but if there ever was a Truth: this is one!

When, after a full day of dealing with visitors from all over the world, the evening falls the city becomes the domain of the inhabitants again and peace and quiet descend all over. But of course, there are lots of big and small restaurants, trattoria’s etc. everywhere to provide you with delicious meals. The inhabitants know how special their little city is for the spiritual welfare of so many, but one should eat, too!

Perhaps a bit of a paradox, but right in the middle of the historical heart of Assisi, not far from SantaMaria degli Angeli and at an easy driving distance from the cities of Perugia, Gubbio, Todi and Deruta, you will find this location, the Residence San Crispino, providing rest as well as city life at the same time. When walking along the Rua Saint Agnese, a few metres from the Piazza Santa Chiara, you see on the left side of this street a stone arch from the 14th century with a massive, wooden door. Behind this door, you step into another time. The history of this residence is respectably long; many Orders have once been established here – but you will not find modern comfort lacking. And this last fact is just as well, because however wonderful it is to stay in a lovely, antique building, one would not want to draw one’s own water from a well!

From this lovely accommodation, you can enjoy a breathtaking view on the most important churches of Assissi such as the Santa Maria Maggiore, the imposing Rocca Maggiore and the St. Rufino cathedral and, of course, the rural beauties of the green heart of Umbria. You can buy postcards, but none of these can compare to what you see with your own eyes.

The Residence San Crispino exists of seven suites, bearing names from the Odes made by Saint Francis himself: Mother Earth, Sister Moon and Stars, Beatitude, Brother Fire, Sister Water and Brother Wind.
“Laudato sie, mi Signore, con tucte le tue creature, spetialmente messor lo frate sole lo quale è iorno, et allumini noi per loi”, Francis wrote: “Praised are you, My Lord, and all your Creatures, especially Brother Sun, who makes the Day and by whom You give us Light”. All suites are very lovingly furnished and have been restored in a wonderful combination of keeping the old whilst adding the new, without the both clashing. The original walls, tiles and arches have been kept, but adapted to modern requirements. In some of the suites, the original frescoes are still there to be admired, and in others they have been lovingly restored by young, regional artists. All suites are very elegantly furnished and have a big cupboard, behind which you find an adequate, modern kitchen. Please note that these kitchens are not meant for preparing a many-coursed, elaborate meal; you can boil your eggs and fry your bacon, prepare a simple pasta meal and, of course, brew your coffee or tea. But if you want to enjoy a proper meal; go outside and try your luck at the very many establishments. We dare to guarantee that the costs, time and trouble spent on finding, buying and preparing all the ingredients for a meal do not add up to enjoying a meal somewhere; as far as the costs go you might perhaps be a couple of Euro’s cheaper off when cooking yourself. But why should you take this trouble, when you can sit back, relax, enjoy your food and, above this all, enjoy each other?

Just in case you might wonder why, in the city of Saint Francis, a name of another saint has been given to this particular location: We do not know. Please enquire, once you are there! We only know that the Saints Crispin and Crispinian were martyrs during the reign of the Roman emperor Dicoletian, and were supposed to be brothers. They are the patron saints of cobbles, glove- and lace makers, leather workers, saddle- and shoemakers, tanners and weavers, and their memorial day is October 25th. Records say about these brothers, that they were very careful to improve themselves in humility, meekness, resignation and all other virtues and directed everything they did to the glory of the Father.

Facilities:
7 suites with a small kitchen (see above) with fridge, 2-pits stove and an espresso-machine, provided with coffee pads. Moreover a television, telephone and safe. Suite “Brother Sun” is provided with air conditioning. Bathroom with shower and/or bath and a hair dryer. Two suites have their own, private garden; two other suites have an open fire place. Parking space available at extra costs jut out of the city (5 min. walking distance).

Lay-out of the suites:
Beatitude: (4 + 2 pers.):
Ground floor: Living with access to the garden and a double sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, separated from the living by an antique curtain, a kind of vide-bedroom with 2 beds, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower.
Madre Terra – Mother Earth - (2 + 1 pers.):
Ground floor : Living with single sofa bed ,1 double bedroom, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. From both rooms you enjoy a lovely view on the valley and the historical centre of Assisi.
Luna and Stelle – The Moon and Stars -(2 + 1 pers.):
Ground floor: Living with single sofa bed and entrance to a wonderful private garden with view on the historical centre of Assisi and the valley, 1 double bedroom; bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower.
Vento –the Wind (2 + 2 pers.):
First floor: Living with double sofa bed, 1 double bedroom, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Wonderful view on the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the valley.
Aqua – Water – (3 + 2 pers.):
First floor: Living, double bedroom, single bedroom, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Terrace with beautiful view on the church Santa Maria Maggiore and the valley.
Sole – the Sun (4 + 4 pers.):
Second floor: Magnificent penthouse, consisting of a spacious living with 2 double sofa-beds and an open fire place, 2 double bedrooms, 1 bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and bath, 1 bathroom with shower; spacious terrace with beautiful sights on the town of Assisi.
Fuoco – The Fire (2 pers.):
First floor: Independent entrance, living-/bedroom with king size bed and open fire place, bathroom with basin, toilet, bidet and shower. Balcony with, unfortunately, no wonderful sights to write home about.

Distances:
Shops, post office, bank etc. at about a few minutes walking distance, railway station in Santa Maria degli Angeli at about 4 km. distance, bus stop direction Spello, Spoleto, Perugia at about 10 min. walk at the Porta Nuova of San Pietro. Perugia 27 km, Gubbio 47 km, Spoleto 45 km, Lago di Trasimeno 50 km, Firenze 175 km.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Riding at about 10 km. distance; swimming pool and tennis court in Assisi at about 2 km. distance; golf course at about 30 km. distance. Please enquire at the reception about the possibilities for excursions to several cities in Umbria. Free shuttle-service to the SPA-centre in Bastia Umbria.
San Crispino offers special massage treatments (Shiatzu, Ayurvedic).

Particulars:

Prices are for 2 pers. per apt. Extra charge 3th and 4th person € 40,00 per person per night. Special discounts for children

Check-in on the day of arrival between 12.00 – 18.00 hrs. Check out on the day of departure before 10.30 hrs.

Included in the rental price: Usage of bed-, bath- and kitchen linen (weekly change), costs for water, gas, electricity and the use of a baby bed

Not included in the rental price: local taxes, costs for heating and final cleaning (€ 13.00 p.p., to be paid on the spot before departure

Extra bed for adults € 40,00

Pets are not allowed

Breakfast service (upon request). Please note that an Italian breakfast is meant, e.g. coffee/tea and sweet cakes

English, French and German spoken