Assisi Limestone: Pietra Rosa di Assisi

When we visited Assisi, I read that we should make a special point of going out around sunset because the characteristic pink limestone of the town (quarried from below the fortress of Rocca Maggiore) would be even more glorious, and we were not disappointed. Here is the Porta San Francesco at sunset. My Italian friend, Simona, who grew up in nearby Perugia (she writes the blog Briciole) told me they call this pietra rosa di Assisi.  Nancy Liggett and Mary Heath, students who joined me at the workshop I taught for Il Chiostro in Tuscany, also traveled independently to Assisi.

Nancy shared the wonderful sketch pictured right--I love how she made notes and sampled paint hues in her study of the stone colors.  I always am especially drawn to journal entries and artist's sketches where I can readily see a mind at work, where all issues have not been resolved, but instead are being examined.

Comments

[Simona]

We call it "pietra rosa di Assisi."

[Molly Hashimoto]

Simona, I must incorporate that in my post title! Thank you!