Building paradise on the Hill of Hell in Assisi: Mountain as reliquary

This study reveals how the burial of St. Francis of Assisi's remains on Mount Subasio transformed a once-wild, mountainous landscape into a sacred pilgrimage site, reshaping human-mountain dynamics and creating a lasting religious monument. It explores the paradoxical life of St. Francis—who rejected wealth and scholarship yet became a pivotal figure in Christian thought—and examines how his burial practices influenced community activities and perceptions of the mountain. The research centers on themes of bodies, burials, and bones, analyzing how these elements shape and are shaped by mountainous landscapes, particularly through the lens of 'conversations' between people and place. By integrating historical events with landscape analysis, the study offers a unique perspective on the mythic entwinement of human stories and sacred geography.

Gunzburg, D. (2021). Building paradise on the Hill of Hell in Assisi: Mountain as reliquary. Space, Place, and Religious Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350079915.ch-004