Episode #308: Travelers Guide to the Legacy of St Francis of Assisi

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Curious about the legacy of St. Francis and why his story still captivates Italy 800 years after his death? Join us on a journey through the life and legacy of this extraordinary figure who, from his humble beginnings in a wealthy family, chose a life of simplicity, compassion, and deep connection to nature – becoming not just a religious icon but Italy’s beloved patron saint.

Contents

Summary

We welcome back Sarah Marano, a key player behind the scens at Untold Italy Tours and one of our Trip Consultations, who also runs the gorgeous agriturismo La Cuccagna, in the Umbrian countryside with her husband, Sal. Sarah, who has lived in Umbria for 20 years, shares fascinating tales, unique traditions, and the hidden corners of Assisi that bring St. Francis’s enduring spirit to life.

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What you'll learn in this episode

Why the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death matters so deeply in Italy, and how his life continues to shape Italian identity, spirituality, and attitudes toward nature, peace, and community today
Who St. Francis really was beyond the saintly image, including his renunciation of wealth, powerful charisma, storytelling ability, and why many see him as a radical communicator, peacemaker, and early environmental thinker
St. Francis traveled, taught, and influenced people across Italy and beyond, using symbols, dialect, and simple language to connect with ordinary people, attract followers, and spread his message far beyond Umbria.
The origins of some of Italy’s most enduring traditions, including the first Nativity scene in Greccio, the presepe culture still central to Italian Christmas, and the blending of religious history with local folklore, like the Wolf of Gubbio
Discover what to experience in Assisi and the surrounding region today, from understanding the symbolism of the basilica and Giotto’s frescoes to discovering lesser-known churches, artisan streets, pilgrimage routes, and the living legacy of St. Francis’s values

Timeline Overview

04:09 Sarah shares insights into the life of St. Francis, introducing his spiritual significance and why his story continues to resonate across Italy
11:49 The episode explores St. Francis as the “holy jester,” unpacking his radical humility, joy, and rebellion against wealth and power
16:06 Learn how St. Francis created the first live nativity and how this tradition shaped Italian Christmas culture, from Umbria to Naples
29:05 Discover Assisi’s hidden gems and sacred sites, tracing the places that shaped Francis and Clare’s enduring legacy
39:09 Reflect on modern pilgrimages to Assisi and Umbria, and why St. Francis’ message of simplicity and compassion still matters today

About our guest – Sarah Marano

English-born Sarah and her Italian husband Salvatore created La Cuccagna in Umbria after meeting while paragliding and discovering a shared love of adventure and sustainable living. Together, they’ve turned their hillside farmhouse into a welcoming and luxe guest retreat where visitors can experience authentic Umbrian life surrounded by nature.

Sarah is deeply committed to sustainability – reusing original materials in the property’s restoration, using solar energy and olive-nut fuel for heating, and sourcing furnishings, produce, and handmade ceramics from local artisans. Much of the food served comes from their own organic farm, where they grow herbs, fruit, and vegetables and produce olive oil, wine, and limoncello – offering guests a true taste of slow, sustainable Italy. Sarah is an Untold Italy tour host in Umbria, works on tour planning and logistics, as well as bringing her skills and experience of living in Italy for decades to Trip Consultations.

You can find La Cuccagna on these channels:

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Assisi – hilltop town in Umbria, famous for St Francis
Bologna – foodie city at the heart of Emilia-Romagna
Imola – town in Emilia-Romagna famous for its racetrack
Greccio – in the province of Rieti, in Lazio, home to the world's first nativity scene and home to the International Museum of Nativities
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi – the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi
Sanctuary of San Damiano – the convent and church were important sites to St Francis and St Clare
Cathedral of San Rufino – example of Romanesque architecture, restored in 1541, by the architect Galeazzo Alessi in the Renaissance style
La Verna Sanctuary – location in Tuscany, chosen by St Francis for a sanctuary

Words / Concepts

St Francis of Assisi – the patron saint of ecology and animals, hailing from the 13th century, he founded the Franciscan order
San Damiano Cross – an icon cross hanging in the Basilica of Saint Clare in Assisi, in front of which it is said St Francis got the message to rebuild the church
Dario Fo – famous Italian playwright and actor who has won the Nobel Prize for Literature
Giotto – an Italian painter and architect from Florence during the Late Middle Ages
Clare of Assisi – an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi. Her feast day is on 11 August.
Canticle of the creatures – poem written by St Francis summing up his spirituality
Veneration of Saint Francis – the official site for information and booking to see the remains of St Francis between February 22nd – March 22nd, 2026
Carlo Acutis – teenager known for promoting Catholicism on social media, dying of leukemia at just 15, in 2016
The taming of the Wolf – a famous story of St Francis taming of a wolf, in Gubbio
Via Di Francesco – pilgrimage trail with the key part being between Gubbio and Assisi

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