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 writer confirmed him an atlas of historical 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 precise geographic middle, whereas being well-known internationally for giving its namesake to one of many biggest fantasy tales ever instructed.
Whereas the writer by no means truly visited Narni, unusual
coincidences pop up when discussing this connection. In 1979 a gaggle of younger
youngsters by accident stumbled upon the doorway to an entire underground system
of interlinked chambers and cellars relationship from the Roman interval. This complicated
is now referred to as “Narni Sotteranea”, which may be explored in its entirety from
its entrance by a tunnel beginning within the church of San Domenico.
Umbria, Narni’s area, is without doubt one of the most under-appreciated within the nation. That is additionally as a result of its relative isolation. It’s the solely landlocked area in central Italy and its terrain is sort of totally hilly. As a result of its geography and previous as a part of the unstable border area between the Papal States and the unbiased city-states surrounding it, many cities in Umbria are constructed on prime 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 formidable instance of Roman bridge located on the crossroads of the traditional Through Flaminia the 2000-year-old highway that hyperlinks Rome to Rimini. Narni is difficultly accessible by each automobile 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 primary items, with the one supermarkets situated on the base of the hill in neighboring Narni Scalo.
To not fear although, the outdated city has many native shops or
“botteghe” the place one can discover most 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.
By way of the 12 months the city alternates between busy to virtually abandoned, although vacationers and a indifferent campus of the College of Perugia maintain issues energetic. 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 primary landmarks embody the regal Palazzo dei Priori, the abbey of Saint Cassiano, the Duomo (the principle cathedral of the city) and the huge Rocca Albornoz, a very majestic fortress well-known for resisting numerous assaults. The story behind this large citadel is indicative of Umbria’s historical past of defending itself in opposition to invaders. From Terni to Perugia, passing by Spoleto, Gubbio and Norcia. Egidio Albornoz, who offers his title to the stronghold, was a 14th century cardinal and “condottiero” (basic) of the Papal states and the person answerable 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 principally located across the two primary piazzas. One locale that stands out for worldwide vacationers is the Seven Pub situated in a slim alley taking pictures out of Piazza Dei Priori. The bar is massively in style with each college students and vacationers additionally due to the charms of the proprietor, Fabrizio. A rarity in Italy, the barman is an knowledgeable in all that’s beer (it should be talked about that Umbria is one thing of a beer enclave surrounded virtually totally by wine nation). For extra beer but additionally cocktails, we now have the marginally trendier Bar Arcomincio in Piazza Garibaldi.
Narni and close by Narni Scalo in addition to the neighboring municipalities of Orte and Amelia get pleasure from quite a few spots for each effective 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 paying homage 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 resorts, hostels and bnbs, many providing glorious selfmade delicacies. For resorts we now have the Resort dei Priori and Resort Narnia each beginning at a modest 40€ per night time. For hostels think about Ostello Sant’Anna, a reconverted 13th century convent situated near the doorway of underground Narni providing spectacular views of the encompassing panorama, at 30€ an evening it’s clearly one of the in style selections. Out of all locations to see in Italy, Narni is certainly value a go to in its personal proper. Nevertheless, it may be additionally a launching pad for full immersion in Umbria, northern Lazio and southern Tuscany.