In the autumn of 1937 Peter arrives in Italy from Civil war Spain. He travels to Rome, Florence and then Perugia. It is from Perugia that he first sees Mount Subasio with the little Medieval city of Assisi on its lower slopes. Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis.
Like the saint he climbs to the top of the mountain. But Peter is no saint. He is not searching for any religious vocation. His one ambition is to develop his talent as an artist. Down in the town he spends hours studying the frescoes in the great Franciscan basilica. He sketches and paints out in the piazzas and streets. He begins to get to know the inhabitants who seem unaware of what is going on beyond the safety of their city walls. In Spain he had not been directly involved in the fighting but he knows that the whole of Europe is soon to be involved in a conflict far greater and when it happens it will be his war too. He travels again to search out and learn as much as he can from the famous Italian masters of the Renaissance, whilst he still has time. When he returns to Assisi it is to climb the mountain again, spending days and nights until the winter of 1938/39. When the bad weather sets in, he takes lodgings in the city he has become increasingly involved in the lives of the local people. And there is one girl in particular...It is through Peter's eyes that the reader gets a snapshot of Assisi's life and its people on the brink of World War II.
Priscilla Calderini was born and educated in England. After marrying an Italian, whilst bringing up a family, she taught English as a foreign language and history of art to American students at the Universita' per stranieri di Perugia and for many years has been working as a tour guide interpreter. She lives in Assisi.
Like the saint he climbs to the top of the mountain. But Peter is no saint. He is not searching for any religious vocation. His one ambition is to develop his talent as an artist. Down in the town he spends hours studying the frescoes in the great Franciscan basilica. He sketches and paints out in the piazzas and streets. He begins to get to know the inhabitants who seem unaware of what is going on beyond the safety of their city walls. In Spain he had not been directly involved in the fighting but he knows that the whole of Europe is soon to be involved in a conflict far greater and when it happens it will be his war too. He travels again to search out and learn as much as he can from the famous Italian masters of the Renaissance, whilst he still has time. When he returns to Assisi it is to climb the mountain again, spending days and nights until the winter of 1938/39. When the bad weather sets in, he takes lodgings in the city he has become increasingly involved in the lives of the local people. And there is one girl in particular...It is through Peter's eyes that the reader gets a snapshot of Assisi's life and its people on the brink of World War II.
About the Author
Priscilla Calderini was born and educated in England. After marrying an Italian, whilst bringing up a family, she taught English as a foreign language and history of art to American students at the Universita' per stranieri di Perugia and for many years has been working as a tour guide interpreter. She lives in Assisi.
