Many are the woods, but only few are equipped with all the comfort that visitors seek and protected from the crowds dropping in for a quick picnic and leaving behind any garbage. On the contrary, at St. Francis’ wood in Assisi, FAI heritage since 2008, peace and nature reign. It is not a wild nature, not a majestic and unique beauty. Indeed it is the characteristic central Italy’s nature – sweet hills, olive groves, beech forests and holm oaks, lawns and clearings flourished in a thousand colours, abundant wildlife albeit shy, approaching only those who stop, wait for it and listen to it. Just as St. Francis did. In this place Francis retired to find peace in nature, undisturbed.
Who of us today is still able to really listen to nature, who knows yet to distinguish the song of a blackbird from the song of a wretch? Actually it is so easy. Just sit and look around: the wood is full of living beings, harmoniously getting along with each other – in symbiosis. Close your eyes and start listening: the water flowing through the brook and leaping among the pebbles, the birds singing, the whining of the cicadas, now and then a nervous rustle in the undergrowth when a rapture approaches, the humming of bees and bombs. And then the scents! Scented flowers, wet ground, freshly cut grass, wood and humus.
Michelangelo Pistoletto, the great Italian master of contemporary art, immediately realized the magic that this place transmits. It’s a sort of spiritual magic that reconciles you both with yourself and the universe. And here’s where he built one of his finest Land Art works: “the third paradise” – that is, his three famous circles – made of 121 double rows of olive trees on a clearing in the woods. To complete the work, a 12-metre high steel rod symbolizes the union between the sky and the underground water. Pistoletto has done so many “third paradises”, often very sighted in places such as the Louvre, Duomo Square in Milan, the excavations of Pompeii, giving a strong message to those who passed by in a hurry. St. Francis’ wood’s third paradise is hidden instead, it needs to be looked for and found only by those who really seek it, and once it comes the inner peace is secured.
In full harmony with nature are also the buildings, the FAI shingle at the entrance of St. Francis’ Basilica, the ancient mill and the Benedictine monastery of Santa Croce with its small church, all restored by FAI with bio-building materials where possible.
Here you can organize totally “green” events: away from the crowd and perfect for a creative retreat or a truly unique teambuilding.
Small parties and weddings can be organized, as well as great events and concerts in the third heaven clearing – always in full respect of nature, to be understood.
The “Osteria del Mulino” delivers local high-quality food.
The large parking near the lower entrance helps reach the place.
Very impressive is the evening visit to St. Francis’ wood: thousands of stars provide a magical atmosphere. Every FAI property offers all weekends between June 9 and July 2 live candlelight experiences as well as the “Sere FAI Estate 2017” events, with live music and shows (www.serefaidestate.it)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AOPWbU6oJM&feature=youtu.be
Information and contacts:
St. Francis’ wood
Via Ponte dei Galli
Assisi (Perugia)
Tel. +39 075 813157 – Fax +39 075 8198638
E-mail: faiboscoassisi@fondoambiente.it
www.boscodisanfrancesco.it
Osteria del Mulino
Tel. +39 075 816831
Cell. +39 339 8402157