Norcia, Sabina land, subjugated by Rome in 290 B.C. was the seat of the town hall. Christianity arrived in the 111C. and became seat of the episcopate where St. Scolastica and St. Benedict were born; the latter was known as the founder of western monarchism and patron of Europe. In the XV1 century it became prefecture of the mountain, crammed with churches, convents, confraternities and oratories. It had goldsmith and painting schools, was prolific with personages from the field of medicine, law and arts. An academy was built in the XVII century and a theatre in the XVIII.

At the end of the century it was occupied by the Napoleonic troops and included in the French empire. In the early 20th century many people emigrated to the United States. During the XIX century the old area was reduced and its urban structure rebuilt.

Norcia has many shops and nowadays is considered the most suggestive centre in the Valnerina. It offers marvellous scenery immersed in an uncontaminated nature, a holiday resort in the green heart of Umbria in the Monte Sibillini national park. Its touristic /sports vocation, which has made it a popular retreat for the most prestigious sports clubs, extend also to the mountain, Forca Canapine; an ideal locality for skiing, is the seat of the best hang-gliding school in Europe with a height of 1542mt.. Benedictine abbeys, churches, mountainside turreted villages are dotted everywhere. Norcia is rich in handicraft shops; iron, wool and wooden goods.

The Castellucio plains, an enormous Karst basin, is adorn in colours and perfume in spring, a carpet of flowers, the so-called end of winter festival "fioritura" ("flowering"), a really beautiful natural spectacle. Folkloristic manifestations, with music and exhibitions, are held throughout the year. The tourist is offered endless possibilities such as trekking, horse-riding, hiking, rafting, canoeing, mountain biking, mountain-climbing, sightseeing in the area, rediscovering artistic treasures from the past, all this is experienced in a very special atmosphere of silence and peace in an almost wild greenery. Many legends are linked to these mountains that coupled with scatterings here and there of "religiousness" make it a unique area. One cannot certainly ignore the cuisine, in fact the art of "NORCINO" was born here that nowadays is a specialization of pork-butchery but was also a real surgery school famous throughout Europe. The flavours of the town still today are unmistakeably linked to a gastronomic culture with ancient and genuine tastes: the black truffle (Aphrodite's diamond), the hams and salamis from local butchers, the well-known lentils of Castelluccio, trout, mushrooms and fruits from the woods, cheeses; the European Community has granted the IGP certification for the lentils, hams and salted ricotta cheese. Also the cultural activities are richer with: meeting, congresses, theatre plays with famous international actors and local amateurs.

 Norcia

Bove

fioritura a Castelluccio di Norcia

Trekking

Rafting