Norcia, city of St. Benedict, patron saint of Europe: between the end of the Roman Empire and the birth of monasticism.
An unspoiled landscape of great beauty is the backdrop against which Norcia is silhouetted, set at the point where the plain of St. Scholastica ends and the paths to the high passes of the Sibillini Mountains begin to climb.
This position has ensured the city’s strategic role through the centuries, and traces of this past are still perfectly legible within the built-up area: the ancient medieval walls, the church built on the birthplace of St. Benedict, the Castellina, a symbol of papal power, and, of course, the Roman remains hidden beneath the present city.
In the sign of good eating.
From Norcia and its mountains come some of Umbria’s most celebrated gastronomic specialties, “norcineria, “ the art of processing pork, has its origins here, and especially the prized black truffle, celebrated by a major market exhibition in February.
A half-day in Norcia
- Basilica of St. Benedict built on the remains of a Roman building considered the home of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica.
- St. Benedict Square, overlooked by the cathedral, St. Mary Argentea, the town hall and the Castellina.
- Castellina, an impressive museum for the importance of the archaeological finds and the beauty of the artworks.
- Cryptoporticus, an imposing achievement from the Roman period.
- Along the streets of the“hamlet.”
- The“small temple,” an original example of medieval sculpture.
A full day in cascia
The whole landscape and territory of Norcia offers truly unique sightseeing opportunities!
Castelluccio and the Pian Grande at about 1270 m is considered one of the most impressive landscape settings in Italy because of the grandeur of the environmental scenery … not to be missed especially during the alpine blossoming in spring when the immense basin of the Pian Grande is transformed into a multicolored carpet of flowers.
About 18 km from Norcia near Preci is the striking monastic complex of Sant’Eutizio, whose interest is linked not only to the history of faith and monumental and scenic beauty (an ancient abbey in the heart of one of Umbria’s most unspoiled and grandiose panoramas!) but also and above all for its fundamental role in the history of medicine! Preci and Sant’Eutizio were for centuries known throughout Europe for an important surgical school.