From Rome to Narni. Chronicles of Magical Umbria

Program

Away from the beaten tourist paths, on top of a green hill, this mysterious medieval fortress city will greet us with silence! Only the quiet music will be heard from somewhere, the bell will ring, and a flock of birds disturbed by rare passersby will flutter.

This magical silent city in the very center of Italy will tell us its secrets: we will learn where the ancient bridge built by Emperor Augustus is located and where the oldest Roman road Flaminia passed.

I will show you the magnificent Cathedral of Narni, the stern watchtowers of the 14th century, the ancient cistern of the Roman era where water from the aqueduct was stored, and fountains created back in the 13th century. Passing under the Roman arch, we will find ourselves in the medieval square, and the winding alleys and narrow dark streets climbing up higher and higher will lead us to small lookout points, from where breathtaking panoramas of Lake Piediluco and the green hills of Umbria will open up to us.

We will visit the local museum, which houses real treasures, including a unique work by Ghirlandaio. I will tell you why the people of Narni dislike Gattamelata - the formidable military leader and native of this city, and how the red griffin became the symbol of Narni. We will also visit the church of St. Francis, built on the site where the saint once lived.

But that's not all! Narni holds another secret - the secret of the underground tunnels beneath the foundation of the Dominican monastery. We will descend into the underground church of Sant'Angelo, adorned with numerous frescoes, walk through the rooms where monks once stored wine, see the remains of Roman cisterns, and the dark corridors will lead us to halls that still remember the inquisition trials. Torture instruments and prisoner cells have been preserved here, with mysterious inscriptions and numbers drawn by the prisoners on the walls.

There is another feature of Narni that cannot be overlooked. Of course, here in Umbria, you cannot miss trying the delicacies of the local cuisine! I suggest you visit one of the numerous shops or a cozy tavern and enjoy pasta with truffles accompanied by a glass of red wine, as well as try salami and ham made by the famous 'norcini' known throughout Italy.

Ancient history, medieval legends, art and architecture, classical and jazz music festivals, magnificent landscapes, and, of course, the famous cuisine of Umbria - all this is Narni - a fairy-tale town just an hour's drive from Rome.