Historical notes on the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli

 With a population of eight thousand, the town of Santa Maria is the most densely populated area of the entire Assisi township. 
The city center is built around the patriarchal basilica, but the development of the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli stems from an induced factor: the fact that urban
development in Assisi, the capital of the township, is impossible. 
Santa Maria is a excellent industrial nucleus and has foundries, metal-working industries, furniture factories and textile industries. Documentation on the Cerreto de
Porziuncle -- the turkey-oak grove of the Porziuncola -- dates as far back as the year 1000, but the establishment of its first settlement is attributed to the events
connected with St. Francis. 
The first pilgrims were drawn there not only by the overwhelming presence of this man, but also by the Porziuncola Indulgence, or Assisi Pardon, which attracted

enormous numbers of people from all parts of the continent.
Thus there immediately arose the need to assist these pilgrims in some way and over the course of the centuries, the first stores, restaurants and inns were built.
Chronicles dating to 1582 mention that there were over a hundred thousand pilgrims.
If we think about how difficult it was to travel during that day and age, this is a considerable number of people.
In 1569, Pius V authorized the construction of a basilica around the Porziuncola and this represents the beginning of an entire series of parallel events.
"Tourism", if this is what we can call the pilgrimages made during those times, was much less fragmentary than it is today.
On August 2, the important Feast of the Assisi Pardon is held in Santa Maria degli Angeli and since the time it was first celebrated in 1216, it has always attracted large
crowds of pilgrims.
This is an indulgence that was instituted by St. Francis and was then confirmed by Honorius III for all those who visit the Porziuncola. Another traditional feast that is
more modest in size is the Plate of St. Anthony, which dates to about three centuries ago. Since around the end of the seventeenth century (although the celebration was
put off a number of times in the past), a "plate" of food is offered to the poor.
This yearly tradition has recently become part of the local celebrations held in January (folklore, cultural and sports events).
In 1450, Cosimo de’ Medici had the fountain with the 26 spouts located alongside the basilica built and the Medici coat of arms can be seen on the taps.