San Crispino Residence

A historic building in central Assisi, creatively converted to make seven lovely 2- to 5-bed apartments for long or short stays

Assisi, home of St Francis, is dubbed the city of peace, and every week thousands of pilgrims and tourists come here to find their own brand of peace. So many thousands, in fact, that it can be hard to find any peace at all on the cobbled drags.

But behind the arched gates lining these roads lies a succession of quiet, inviting courtyards, and in one of these you stumble upon the residenza d’epoca of San Crispino. A solid medieval residence right inside the old town, its rooms have through the ages housed the confraternities of Saints Maria Maggiore, Biagio and Crispino. Now it has been converted into seven suites, whose exposed stone walls, vaulted ceilings, antique-style furniture and spiritual frescoes preserve the historical-religious ambiance for today’s visitors. It may lack some of the facilities of a hotel (24-hour reception, common rooms), but it more than makes up for it with private gardens, an amazingly helpful young manageress, and that priceless feeling of escaping the crowds.

Highs

• Within the walls but near a public underground carpark
• Private lawns and penthouse roof terrace
• Each suite sleeps from 2 to 5
• Each suite has kitchenette and sitting room
• Nothing is too much trouble for English-speaking manageress Isabella
• Quite simply, it’s the only charming place to stay in Assisi

Lows

• You might find some of the frescoes rather naff
• The bathrooms are ‘bog-standard’
• Be prepared for a 10-minute walk from the carpark
• Only one suite (Beatitude) has air conditioning