Each year a different region of Italy donates the 1000 liters of oil needed to fuel the votive lamp of Saint Francis' tomb in Assisi. This year the Veneto region (see Veneto map) will donate the oil and the lamp will be lit October 4 during the feast day of Saint Francis. You can read the full story in the Buongiorno Venezia newsletter.

Saint Francis, or San Francesco, is the patron saint of Italy and the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi is a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination. The tomb of Saint Francis, who was born in Assisi in 1182, is in the crypt of the beautiful lower church.

Assisi, about 90 miles north of Rome, is one of the must-see medieval hill towns in the central Italy region of Umbria (see Umbria map on Europe Travel). The countryside around the town is beautiful - see Walking near Assisi on Europe Travel. There are accommodations in the countryside, too - my friends recommend Agriturismo La Cantina.

Take a look at Assisi and find out more about Saint Francis and the Basilica from about.com's guide to Family Travel and see more Assisi photos on Europe Travel.

Assisi Travel Directory | Veneto Travel Directory

_{Photo of Umbria seen from above © James Martin, Europe Travel}