Umbria, "the green heart of Italy", is the land of Saint Benedict of Nursia, patron saint of Europe, and of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy and of ecologists. The popes Benedict XVI and Francis have entrusted themselves to them. The moving example of life of Saint Benedict and Saint Francis, with the widespread mission of the religious families they founded, laid the foundations of a civilization that speaks of humanity, peace and the care of creation. This volume, promoted by the Umbria Region and implemented by Sviluppoumbria, publishes a selection of Benedictine and Franciscan works of art, as an invitation to discover the extraordinary environmental and cultural heritage of Umbria.

"Saint Benedict and Saint Francis are emblems of Umbria. They embody all the diverse values that our region is making known to an increasingly wider public, eager for authentic knowledge and for giving meaning and inspiration to their own existential journeys." Card. Gualtiero Bassetti

The volume, produced with the support of Regione Umbria through POR SFER funds and implemented by Sviluppumbria on behalf of the Assessorato regionale al Turismo.

Contents
On Slow Travel: Pilgrimage Walks through Umbria
Gianluigi Bettin

Pilgrimage Walks through Umbria

Traveling through Umbria with the Knight of Christ
Vito Isacchi

The Umbria of Saint Francis and Saint Benedict
Fabio Marcelli

Appendix

Index of places

Selected bibliography