Nestled in a peaceful mountain valley at the foot of the Monti Sibillini, and surrounded by meadows and forests, Norcia radiates calm and authenticity. This gem is part of the Borghi più belli d’Italia, and that is no empty title. As soon as you wander through its streets, you understand why: Norcia is back, and it’s ready to welcome you.
A remarkable story of reconstruction
On October 30, 2016, a powerful earthquake shook Norcia to its core, reducing the beloved Basilica di San Benedetto almost entirely to rubble. Only the façade remained standing, a resilient reminder of what once was.
Nine years later, on October 31, 2025, the doors of the fully reconstructed basilica were ceremoniously reopened. A milestone for the local community, for Umbria, and for everyone who holds this town dear. The restoration made use of as many original stones as possible, each carefully recovered and catalogued. The result is impressive: a church deeply rooted in its history, yet built for the future: earthquake-resistant, accessible, and full of life.
On Piazza San Benedetto, you can once again admire the familiar façade. The statue of Saint Benedict still stands proudly in the square, as if it patiently watched over the rebuilding of its own church.
After the earthquake, Norcia’s historic centre remained closed for a long time. To keep local life going, many shops temporarily moved to wooden houses just outside the city walls. Even in difficult times, the town carried on, slowly rebuilding, resilient as ever.
Strolling through the medieval heart
You can walk from one end of Norcia’s historic centre to the other in about fifteen minutes, but allow at least two hours, because you’ll keep stopping along the way. To admire shop windows filled with hanging hams. To peek through an archway opening onto a small, sunlit square. Or to visit La Castellina, the imposing Gothic building that now houses a museum with a beautiful collection of religious art.
The city walls are largely intact, with gates and towers that transport you straight back to the Middle Ages. While Corso Sertorio is the lively main street, the surrounding alleyways are just as charming and perfect for getting pleasantly lost.
The art of the norcino
The Italian word norcino, the skilled butcher specialising in cured meats, originates from Norcia, and for good reason. This is where the art of salting, drying, and curing meat was refined into a true culinary tradition.
Along the main street, you’ll find one norcineria after another, their ceilings lined with prosciutto, salami, coppa, and capocollo. Treat your taste buds to these local delicacies, perhaps paired with a glass of regional wine any time of day.
And then there’s the truffle. Umbria is Italy’s leading producer of black truffles, and Norcia sits at the very heart of it. Shops display fresh truffles alongside jars of truffle paste, truffle honey, and truffle salt. Leaving empty-handed is nearly impossible.
At the table, Norcia truly shines. The classic dish is pasta alla norcina: fresh pasta with creamy sausage and truffle, simple and unforgettable. But don’t miss homemade gnocchi with truffle butter, lentil stew from Castelluccio di Norcia, or a perfectly grilled piece of wild boar.
Nature that takes your breath away
Norcia lies on the edge of the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, one of the most beautiful national parks in central Italy. Hikers, cyclists, and horse riders will find countless routes winding through alpine meadows, past lakes, and across mountain passes.
By the end of spring, the plains around nearby Castelluccio di Norcia burst into colour during La Fioritura, when the lentil plants bloom, and wildflowers create a spectacular natural display that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Visiting Norcia
Norcia is a wonderful destination year-round. Each year in February or March, the famous Nero Norcia takes place, featuring a truffle market with over a hundred producers, music, and a lively atmosphere. Spring brings the Fioritura on the Castelluccio plains. Summer is perfect for mountain hikes, while autumn is all about truffle hunting and the scent of freshly pressed olive oil.
From a villa in Umbria, Norcia makes an ideal day trip: spend the morning exploring the town, enjoy lunch on the square, and head into the mountains in the afternoon. Just make sure to bring an empty cooler for the journey back: you’ll almost certainly fill it!
Copyright: @scrittofoli
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