| Norcia | ||
 | ||
| State | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Umbria | |
| Territory | Valnerina-Cascia | |
| Altitude | 604 m a.s.l. | |
| Inhabitants | 4.987 (2007) | |
| Name inhabitants | Nursini | |
| Prefix tel | 39 0743 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 06046 | |
| Patron | St. Benedict Recurrence: March 21 & July 11 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Norcia is a center ofUmbria in Valnerina, province of Perugia.
 | ATTENTION: THE earthquakes that on 24 August, 26 and 30 October 2016 they hit the area of Central Italy and caused damage or collapses to many buildings. The historic center has had injuries. The Basilica of San Benedetto collapsed. Particularly affected were the hamlets of Castelluccio, San Pellegrino and Frascaro |
To know
It is part of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Norcia lies on the plateau of Santa Scolastica, on the edge of the Sibillini Mountains which mark the border between Umbria is Marche.
It was a center of the Sabines and came under Roman rule at the beginning of the third century. In 480, San Benedetto was born there, founder of the Benedictine monastic order. It was later a possession of the Lombard dukes who had their headquarters in Spoleto. It became a free municipality in the 13th century and retained its independence until 1354, when it was confiscated in the Papal States.
The history of Norcia is marked by terrible and repeated earthquakes; recently remember those of 1979 and the most ruinous of 2016, which caused the collapse of the Basilica of San Benedetto.
How to orient yourself
Norcia: full screen map.How to get
By car
From Florence, 248 km away, take the A1 up to the Valdichiana-Sinalunga junction. Take the Bettole-Perugia (RA6). Then continue on the state road 75 Centrale Umbra (SS 75) up to Foligno then continue towards Spoleto on the SS3. Just before arriving at Spoleto take the exit for Cascia-Norcia taking La tre valli umbra. From here to Norcia there are 30 km
From Rome, 180 km away, take the A1 up to the Orte junction. You enter the Viterbo road link-Terni . Then continue on the state road 3 Flaminia (SS 3) up to Spoleto; then continue towards Spoleto Nord on the SS3. Shortly after the Sploeto nord junction, take the Cascia-Norcia exit taking La tre valli umbra. From here to Norcia there are 30 km.
From Rome, 180 km away, take the state road 4 Salaria (SS 4) to the Cascia - Norcia junction, located at km 158; then continue towards Norcia taking The Three Umbrian Valleys, choosing the panoramic route through the Apennine pass of Forca Canapine (longer route of about 20 km) or through the tunnel of the same name (road not tortuous and with a reasonable saving of time and km).
How to get around
What see
- Town Hall. From the 13th century but rebuilt several times following disastrous earthquakes. The reliquary of San Benedetto is kept in the Priori chapel
- Basilica of San Benedetto. The basilica collapsed following the violent earthquake of 30 October 2016.
- Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea).
- Castellina.
- Small temple.
Events and parties
- Feast of the Pasquarelle.
January 6. Renewing the Christian tradition of the Epiphany and in connection with other similar rites that take place on the same day of the year in the rest ofEurope, i Pasquarellari, a group of people to the sound of tambourines and small percussion instruments, go from house to house where, with songs in the nursino dialect (Pasquarelle) the birth of the Messiah is announced. - Sant'Antonio Abate. January 17. Blessing of animals, salt and wheat with a parade in the streets of the city and later auction of lambs.
- St. Benedict. March 21. On the occasion of the feast of the holy founder of Western monasticism, a torch, which has previously traveled to various European countries, finally reaches Norcia. The torch symbolizes the spread of the Benedictine rule in all the countries of the continent.
- Historical parade. Procession in costume and ceremony of the Offering of the Pallium by the 27 castles in which the territory of the city was once organized and divided.
- Procession of the dead Christ (Along the city ring road, in front of the ancient city walls). Easter Friday.
- Planting. April 30. Ancestral rite of fertility and spring awakening. A poplar tree, deprived of its bark, adorned with a frond and generally with the national flag, is planted at night in the town square, in an atmosphere of celebration and great conviviality.
- Festival of Fauns. December 9. In the countryside surrounding the city, once night comes, pyres are set on fire to the sound of barrel organs and the singing of stornelli in the Norse dialect (Fauns) of juniper to celebrate the anniversary of the Madonna of Loreto. The fires, in popular tradition, illuminate the path of the angels who give it Holy Land bring to safety Loreto the house of the Virgin. In reality, the festival has pagan origins and is linked to the rites of light which, when the winter solstice arrives, are common in various European cultures.
January 6. Renewing the Christian tradition of the Epiphany and in connection with other similar rites that take place on the same day of the year in the rest ofWhat to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Average prices
- 1 [link not working]Farmhouse in the Park, Fontevena locality 8 (about 1 km from Norcia along the road that goes towards Preci-Visso), ☎ 39 0743 816481, @[email protected].
25-30€. always open, reservations are recommended. Farmhouse with 13 rooms and restaurant with typical cuisine. Local and organic products.
25-30€. Where stay
A list of accommodation facilities can be found on the website of municipality of Norcia[link not working]
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Arquata del Tronto The town is located a few km from Norcia (about 24) and is easily reachable by taking the SS 685 Tre Valli Umbre towards Ascoli Piceno, taking the Arquata Del Tronto exit. Of particular interest is the fortified complex of the Rocca, a defense structure from the Middle Ages that can be seen isolated in the area north of the inhabited center and observes the Alta Valle del Tronto and the Salaria with its towers. Conceived as a military garrison to guard the territory, it has arrived in a good state of conservation up to the present day. Built several times between the 11th and 15th centuries, this stronghold is also known by the name of Queen Giovanna Castle. The recent restoration has made it open to visitors in all its rooms. In the country there is also the church of the Santissima Annunziata hosting the 13th century polychrome wooden crucifix.
- On 24 August 2016, Arquata del Tronto, Accumoli, Amatrice and the municipalities of the area on the border between Lazio, Umbria and Marche were hit by a violent earthquake that caused serious damage to built-up areas, with deaths and injuries following the collapses.
- Ascoli Piceno The city is located about 70 km from Norcia and is easily reachable along the SS 685 Tre Valli Umbre and then the SS 4 via Salaria. It is known as the City of a hundred towers. Its historic center is famous for having houses, palaces, churches, bridges and elevated towers in travertine. Here, history and architectural styles have settled their passage from the Roman age to the Middle Ages, up to the Renaissance. Artists such as Cola dell'Amatrice, Lazzaro Morelli, Carlo Crivelli, Giosafatti and other talented sculptors, stonecutters, painters have left a mark of their talent. It welcomes one of the most beautiful squares in Italy: Piazza del Popolo, center of cultural and political life, framed by arcades with loggias, Palazzo dei Capitani and Caffè Meletti. Every year in August the Quintana is held here, a historical re-enactment in costume with a procession and competition of six knights vying for the conquest of the Palio.
- Castelluccio (30 km)
