Norcia: Mountains, Culture and Specialties

Norcia lies in the heart of the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, whose surrounding mountains reach elevations of more than 2,000 meters.

Trails and Winter Experiences in Norcia

The Sentiero Natura di Norcia is a 4.5-kilometer tourist hiking trail focusing on archaeology and history; the walking time is approximately two and a half hours. Winter activities include snowshoe hikes through forests and valleys, guided excursions along snowy paths, and panoramic walks. There are also mountain bike routes for all levels of difficulty. They range from easy trails along the former Spoleto–Norcia railway line to more technically demanding routes in the valleys. Bicycles and equipment can be rented.

Culture in the Historic Center

Norcia’s city walls are completely preserved in their characteristic heart shape; towers and gates stand along the medieval walls. La Castellina was built as a Renaissance fortress on the west side of Piazza San Benedetto. It later served first as a residence, then as the seat of the municipal administration, and finally as the Museo Civico e Diocesano. Norcia’s Museo Civico e Diocesano was established after the adaptation works completed in 1979.

At Porta Ascolana, a permanent archaeological exhibition has been set up in a building that incorporates the remains of a Roman cryptoporticus in the southern part of Norcia. The exhibition documents a hut settlement dating from the 9th to the 8th century BC, as well as a necropolis dating from the 6th to the 3rd century BC. The Portico delle Misure, attached to the Basilica di San Benedetto, was built from 1570 by the city and ecclesiastical authorities as a covered grain market. Nine stone measuring vessels have been preserved there, some of which still have metal spatulas attached to the wall.

Churches, Archives and Remarkable Buildings

The Church of San Giovanni is one of the oldest churches in Norcia and preserves a wooden ceiling and the Renaissance altar Della Madonna della Palla from 1469, a work by Giovanni Dalmata. The Oratorio di Sant'Agostinuccio has a richly gilded and painted 16th-century ceiling, as well as wooden choir stalls for members of the brotherhood. In the Church of Sant'Agostino, you will find a Gothic main portal from the 14th century; above it is a 16th-century fresco depicting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, the Madonna with the blessing Christ Child, and Saint Augustine.

The Complesso di San Francesco, dating from the 14th century, now houses the auditorium, the municipal library and the historical archive. The archive preserves valuable records relating to Norcia and the surrounding area dating back to the 13th century and contains more than 12,000 items dating from the 13th century to the 1960s. The Tempietto was formerly known as “la màina” and is considered the most original and best-preserved building in Norcia. In 1354, Vanni della Tuccia decorated it with zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, geometric, symbolic and esoteric bas-reliefs.

The Teatro Civico was returned to the city of Norcia on Sunday, May 24, almost ten years after the 2016 earthquake. Norcia inApp makes the city’s historical, artistic and spiritual heritage more accessible and guides visitors through three themed itineraries in Norcia’s historic center.

The Taste of the City

Prosciutto di Norcia PGI is a renowned product of the Norcineria tradition, the traditional processing of pork that has been rooted in Norcia for centuries. The black truffle, Tuber melanosporum Vittadini, is one of Norcia’s most authentic symbols. It grows wild in oak, holm oak, Turkey oak and hazelnut forests on well-drained calcareous soils.

Travel via Spoleto

The nearest railway station to Norcia is in Spoleto; the Norcia Link bus service connects it to the center of Norcia in approximately one hour.

More destinations in Umbria: Civitella Benazzone, Montecolognola, Missiano Di Panicale, Pucciarelli, San Martino In Colle, Cerbara, Casamaggiore, Massa Martana.

Travel Overview for Perugia: Perugia.