Ricerca storica:
siti inesplorati tra il X e il XIII secolo
nel narnese

Liceo Scientifico Gandhi Narni Scalo

Narni, geographic centre of Italy, is situated in the province of Terni, in the region of Umbria. It is a typical Umbrian town, built on a hill 240 metres above sea level. The town has outstanding views over the river Nera valley and the expansive plain of Terni.

The city was built on this hill in order to protect itself from eventual enemies from other cities, in fact the high position allowed the people to see at a far distance the eventual dangers. The developments of cities is datable in this period, with the Municipalities. But the cities still need to protect themselves. Notice the high defence towers and the Municipal building which presents small windows for protection.

However although Neolithic people lived in this region the first historical document, mentioning the town, is dated 600 BC, when Nequinum and its inhabitants are mentioned. In 299 BC, Narni was a Roman colony under the name of Narnia, a name that comes from the Nar river, which today called the Nera.

In 90 BC, Narnia became a municipality (semi-independent) town within the Roman Empire. The first Christian Bishop of Narni, Giovenale from Carthage, was chosen in 368 AD and later was consecrated as Saint Patron of the town. In the 11th century it established its power as a free municipality.

Between the 12th and the 14th century it reached its greatest period of splendour, but in 1371 the Pope reformed the statutes of the city and Narni became part of the Papal State. On the 27th of July 1527, the Lansquenet (northern mercenaries) destroyed Narni that had been re-established by the end of the century.

Narni today is an important industrial city. But every year there is a festival to remember its historical origins.

It dates back to the first half of the XIV century and it is run during the celebration for the Patron S.Giovenale. It was an ability race, in which the young men of the wards, Fraporta, Mezule and S.Maria, attempted the task of threading with a lance a silver ring hung from two little ropes placed between the houses at beginning of the main street. Today, the Corsa all'anello is run in S.Girolamo playground and it is an engaging pursuit competition among nine riders from Narni, three for every ward.

Refer to the plan in the previous page:

1 - The church of San Francesco was built in the 13th century and enlarged in the 14th. It was built to remember the stay of the Saint in the city. On all the walls there are important frescos by the local school.
2 - The Cathedral is dedicated to San Giovenale, first bishop of the city, and it was consecrated to him in 1145. It is a typical mixture of Romanic and Baroque style.
Inside there are the relics of San Giovenale, San Cassio, Santa Lucia and other bishops of the city.
3 - Palazzo dei Priori has rich elements that make it one of the most beautiful of the civic architecture, thanks also to the wonderful porch. In Narni it is better known as Palazzo degli Scolopi, because these friars were the last owners of the palace.
4 - Palazzo comunale is formed by 3 towers with function of residences, that were connected to each other in 1273. Inside the palace contains interesting things: a Roman grave, a well and series of measures of varied kind.
5 - San Domenico was built on top of the old church and now, this building is an exhibition area and houses the Library and the Historical Archives.
6 - Santa Maria Impensole was built in 1175. The interior is divided into three naves. In the subterranean crypt there are the remains of a building and a well of the Roman period.

Guide (studenti del Liceo scientifico Gandhi di Narni scalo):
C.Bianchini
C.Canepone
M.Di Stefano
E.Pace
S.Pennazzi
S.Pernazza
 

TORNA A PAG. PRECEDENTE TORNA A PAG. INDICE TORNA A PAG. INDIVIDUA NARNI