The ultimate city guide to Narni, Italy
Located in the geographical center of Italy, Narni is a splendid town in the Terni province, with ancient origins and “fantastic” history, it was the place that inspired C.S. Lewis for “The Chronicles of Narnia”.
History
The very ancient origins of this city date back to the beginning of the first millennium BC, when the Osco-Umbrians called their settlement Nequinum, which later became a strategic colony of Rome along the Via Flaminia. It was the Romans who renamed the citadel Narnia, the name changed to Narni in unknown times.
It is thought that this transition took place gradually starting from the 13th century. The Middle Ages were then a very important age for the historical and urban development of the city. It was a victim of the barbarian invasions before being assigned by the Franks to the Papal State, under which it underwent considerable transformations. Large and impressive religious buildings and the Rocca Albornoz were built. Subsequently, during the French Revolution, Narni became part of the first Roman Republic, short-lived, and then returned to the Papal State, from which it finally broke away between 1859 and 1860, with the annexation of Umbria to Italy.
What to see in Narni
This troubled and complex history has meant that Narni was enriched over time with many treasures of great importance from a historical, artistic and architectural point of view. Walking within what remains of the ancient double-enclosed walls, there are remains of a Roman, medieval, but also Renaissance past in a succession of splendid squares, streets, churches and historic buildings that make Narni one of the most important tourist towns in the area.
To get a taste of its beauty, it would be enough to admire Piazza dei Priori, once called Platea Major, which replaced the ancient Roman forum and, also in that period, was enriched with the Palazzo dei Priori. Seat of the city magistrates in medieval times, it is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city. Its beauty is based on the elements that compose it: the portal, the loggia of Gattapone, the frescoes, up to the upper part of the Renaissance period. To increase the value of the square, in addition to the Palazzo dei Priori, there are the imposing Civic Tower, built around 1200, and Palazzo Sacripante, now a university seat.
Walking along with the characteristic Via del Monte, you reach the suggestive Rocca Albornoz, the early medieval fortress that was the home of popes and cardinals. In ancient times the fortress was surrounded by a moat and walls that hid a courtyard inside and the mansion on the first floor of the building.
Today that courtyard has been used as a theme park inspired by the Middle Ages. The poles of artistic and cultural interest are still many others: from the ancient Bridge of Augustus to the Castle of San Girolamo, to the Cathedral of San Giovenale and so on, in a succession of historical beauties that are also underground.
The path of underground Narnia highly appreciated by citizens and tourists led to the discovery of ancient wonders buried under the city, such as the Roman Narnia aqueduct or the Room of Torments, an ancient cell of the Inquisition Tribunal.
The Mole di Narni and the Nera Gorges
One of the most beautiful excursions is the one that leads to the Gorges of the Nera river, which can be traveled along a pedestrian-cycle track, built on the previous route of a disused railway. It is a 5 km route that connects Narni Scalo to Nara Montoro station. The route allows you to admire magnificent views of the Nera river, the remains of the Augustus Bridge from 27 BC. and near Stifone the ruins of a Roman shipyard.
The excursion ends at the Mole basin, where the river widens to create a splendid lagoon with turquoise and emerald waters of the Nera. Here a wooden Solarium has been equipped so that you can relax in the sun and admire the placid blue lagoon that opens up to your eyes. The stretch of water is inviting, even if the waters are quite cool, but beware: bathing is prohibited here! This is because there is a dam upstream, and the opening of its bulkheads can cause dangerous flood waves. Although these are announced by the sound of a siren, for safety reasons, the municipality has placed a ban on bathing on the site.
Events and festivals
In short, Narni is a city rich in history, a history that does not fail to be enhanced, rebuilt and relived through various initiatives. One above all, is the Corsa all’Anello, an event full of medieval-themed events that go back to an ancient Narnese tradition in force since the fourteenth century, or the feast in honor of the Holy Juvenal.
In ancient times the festival included processions but also songs, dances and equestrian games, including the Corsa all’Anello, for which the participants had to ride along the Piazza dei Priori and insert, with their pole, the target. Today this festival takes on the qualities of a great and long historical reinterpretation, divided into two weeks of culminating celebrations, on the second Sunday of May, precisely in the Corsa all’Anello. For this splendid medieval festival, there are street artists, dances, medieval markets, fencing tournaments but also a lot of gastronomy with traditional tabernas, thanks to which authentic medieval flavors of Umbrian cuisine are offered.
How to get to Narni
To reach Narni by car, it is necessary to take the A1 as far as the Orte exit, then the E45 towards Terni and exit at Narni. Arriving by train, however, the Narni-Amelia station is connected with the Rome-Ancona and Rome-Perugia lines. Finally, the closest airports are in Rome and Perugia.
