Norcia, heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that destroyed the Cathedral of San Benedetto, continues to offer a fascinating journey through its millennia-old roots despite the challenges of recent history. Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict, home to the Black Truffle and norcino art, will immerse you in an unforgettable experience of colors, scents, and flavors.
The Castellina, a fortified residence commissioned by Pope Julius III, stands as a testament to the Papal States’ control over the town of Norcia. Restored in the 18th century, it now houses the Civic and Diocesan Museum, transforming its history into a tangible testimony.
The Duomo di Santa Maria Argentea, a Renaissance jewel built between 1556 and 1570, reveals its grandeur with stone arches and noble chapels. Inside, there are extraordinary works of art, including the fresco of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica with the Madonna and Child.
Another example of Gothic art, the San Francesco Monumental Complex now houses the auditorium, the municipal library, and the historical archive. Among the 15th and 16th-century frescoes, the majestic altarpiece featuring the Coronation of the Virgin by Jacopo Siculo (1541) stands out.
The Church of Sant’Agostino, similar to the Church of San Benedetto, features a 16th-century fresco depicting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, the Madonna and Child, and Saint Augustine, dominating the portal.
At the entrance to Norcia, in the lowest part of the plateau, a series of meadows, known as the Marcite, spans about 70 hectares. These irrigation systems were created by Benedictine monks between the 14th and 15th centuries and allowed for the continuous and controlled flooding of large areas of land for long periods throughout the year.
