The story goes that when a colleague of C.S Lewis requested the place he had give you the title for his imaginary world within the wardrobe, the creator confirmed him an atlas of historic Italy with the title of a small city underlined. The city is Narni, then nonetheless presenting its Latinised title Narnia, well-known in Italy for being its actual geographic middle, whereas being well-known internationally for giving its namesake to one of many biggest fantasy tales ever advised.
Whereas the creator by no means really visited Narni, unusual
coincidences pop up when discussing this connection. In 1979 a bunch of younger
youngsters by accident stumbled upon the doorway to a complete underground system
of interlinked chambers and cellars relationship from the Roman interval. This advanced
is now often called “Narni Sotteranea”, which might be explored in its entirety from
its entrance via a tunnel beginning within the church of San Domenico.
Umbria, Narni’s area, is likely one of the most under-appreciated within the nation. That is additionally on account of its relative isolation. It’s the solely landlocked area in central Italy and its terrain is sort of solely hilly. Resulting from its geography and previous as a part of the unstable border area between the Papal States and the impartial city-states surrounding it, many cities in Umbria are constructed on high of hills in defensive positions, distinct in tradition, dialects and traditions from their counterparts in Tuscany, Lazio, Marche and Emilia-Romagna.
The primary landmark whereas nonetheless winding up the highway arriving to Narni is the “Ponte di Augusto”. A powerful instance of Roman bridge located on the crossroads of the traditional By way of Flaminia the 2000-year-old highway that hyperlinks Rome to Rimini. Narni is difficultly accessible by each automotive and public transport. It depends on elevators to get to the precise city. The native inhabitants makes use of these elevators even for essentially the most fundamental items, with the one supermarkets positioned on the base of the hill in neighboring Narni Scalo.
To not fear although, the previous city has many native shops or
“botteghe” the place one can discover lots of the important meals of the area (Umbria
is known for its prestigious pork and boar hams), together with: Capocollo,
Guanciale, Porchetta from close by Norcia, Umbrian Mortadella, Coppa, Brasato and
many, many different savoury delights.
Via the 12 months the city alternates between busy to nearly abandoned, although vacationers and a indifferent campus of the College of Perugia preserve issues vigorous. This liveliness turns into palpable in late April and early Could because the “Corsa dell’Anello” takes place. Narni actually turns into a time machine. The locals don medieval costumes and take part within the titular race, which options jousters in full medieval armor trying to drive a lance into a hoop.
The city’s foremost landmarks embrace the regal Palazzo dei Priori, the abbey of Saint Cassiano, the Duomo (the principle cathedral of the city) and the huge Rocca Albornoz, a really majestic fortress well-known for resisting numerous assaults. The story behind this large citadel is indicative of Umbria’s historical past of defending itself towards invaders. From Terni to Perugia, passing via Spoleto, Gubbio and Norcia. Egidio Albornoz, who provides his title to the stronghold, was a 14th century cardinal and “condottiero” (basic) of the Papal states and the person liable for fortifying the entire area with a system of linked castles that protected Umbria for hundreds of years.
The relocation of College college students to the as soon as sleepy city set the stage for a burgeoning nightlife scene to develop within the space, with a myriad of bars largely located across the two foremost piazzas. One locale that stands out for worldwide vacationers is the Seven Pub positioned in a slim alley taking pictures out of Piazza Dei Priori. The bar is massively common with each college students and vacationers additionally due to the charms of the proprietor, Fabrizio. A rarity in Italy, the barman is an skilled in all that’s beer (it have to be talked about that Umbria is one thing of a beer enclave surrounded nearly solely by wine nation). For extra beer but additionally cocktails, we have now the marginally trendier Bar Arcomincio in Piazza Garibaldi.
Narni and close by Narni Scalo in addition to the neighboring municipalities of Orte and Amelia take pleasure in quite a few spots for each positive eating and avenue meals, particularly throughout native festivals. Il Kantuccio, Il Gattamelata and La Loggia are three of essentially the most appreciated in Narni correct. This final institution is famend for its diligent preparation of “manfricoli” a sort of pasta harking back to Emilian “tagliatelle” however thicker.
Being a College city on the crossroads of Italy, nearer to Rome (0nly 80km) than the regional capital of Perugia (85km), Narni has many optimum low-cost motels, hostels and bnbs, many providing wonderful selfmade delicacies. For motels we have now the Resort dei Priori and Resort Narnia each beginning at a modest 40€ per evening. For hostels think about Ostello Sant’Anna, a reconverted 13th century convent positioned near the doorway of underground Narni providing spectacular views of the encompassing panorama, at 30€ an evening it’s clearly one of the vital common selections. Out of all locations to see in Italy, Narni is unquestionably value a go to in its personal proper. Nonetheless, it may be additionally a launching pad for full immersion in Umbria, northern Lazio and southern Tuscany.
