Situated at 604 meters above sea level between the Sordo and Torbidone rivers, the town of Norcia, in ancient times known as "Nursia", is the largest town of Valnerina valley. The city's origins go back to ancient times: already during the Punic wars between the Romans and the Phoenicians, Norcia was of great importance as has been recorded by Roman historians. Later, during Roman times, the town gained political importance: first, as prefecture and then as a township. Destroyed by the Longobards and then by the Goths, then was rebuilt and became an active town during the Middle Ages. Its historical treasures have been damaged for the major part by the very frequent earthquakes which have devastated the town during the centuries. The first recorded earthquake in fact dates back to the first part of the 6th century. However, due to a very meticulous restoration, the city is now able to show its original structure, with its splendid medieval and lordly architecture.

The city is worth an excursion for the restaurants which offer the traditional regional cuisine, and for a more attentive and profound visit, for its important works of art, which are all to be found in its old city walls. In this sense, the Gothic church of St. Benedict, is impressive, built in the shape of a Latin cross with a polygonal apse and a beautiful ogival portal. Its interior is built on two levels: above, you'll find the main church while the crypt is to be found below. Inside, you'll find precious frescoes and paintings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The outside of the church preserves its original structure in only one part of the facade. A portico gives movement to the right-hand lateral side of the church until the bell-tower. The Cathedral, on the other hand, dates back to the Renaissance period; unfortunately, not much of the original building has remained, as restoration during the baroque era has changed its architectural style. Another impressive example of Renaissance architecture, this time civil, is the "Castellina", a four-sided strong-hold built by Vignola and nowadays seat of the Municipal Diocesan Museum. The church of St. Augustine, worth a visit because of its ogival portal which in its lunette contains a well-preserved fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Augustine, and that of St. John, which, not like the former, has lost its original structure because of modifications during the baroque era, both date back to the 14th century. The church of St. Francis with its rose-window which opens upon its facade, is also noteworthy.

Near Norcia, the small town of Serravalle offers the magical atmosphere of a village lost among the green Umbrian hillside. For trekking lovers and walkers, the plain of Castelluccio offers a truly unique spectacle, in particular during Spring-time (end of May/June) when the meadows, because of the flowers in bloom, assume a thousand different tonalities mixed together in a multitude of colours.

The Basilica of St. Benedict of Norcia is built according to the tradition on the ruins of the native house of St. Benedict. The disposition of the internal spaces is made according to a Latin cross map with a polygonal apse; its interior, on two levels: on the top level we find the main church while the crypt, where we can see parts of antique roman walls, is on the inferior level. The walls are decorated with precious frescos dating back to 1500 and prints of 1600. The outside of the church of St. Benedict presents its original structure only in one part of the faÇade, characterized by an elaborated rose and a beautiful ogival portal. A portico gives movement to the right part of the church along all the side up to the belfry.

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