A DAY TRIP TO NORCIA FROM EL MARSAM

Eight ancient gates are still to be found along the perimeter of this historic trading city, conquered by the Romans in 290 BC.  The walls built by the Romans were replaced in the 13^th century.  Porta Romana, opens onto the Corso Sertorio which leads to the Piazza San Benedetto and the heart of the town.    Today the town is known above all for its local produce, especially its black truffles and superior meats, especially its prosciuttos and salamis.  Browsing around the many salumerie is one of the highlights of a trip to Norcia.

Two important saints were born in this area: St. Benedict, founder of the oldest monastic order in the West was born in Norcia and he is the town’s patron saint.  St. Rita was born near Cascia, not too distant, where there is a modern Sanctuary dedicated to the saint.

For nature lovers, a visit to the Monti Sibillini National Park and the Piano Grande, 18 kilometers of Norcia, is a must.  Here you will discover a basin, once a glacial lake, where an extraordinary meadow, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains, explodes into carpets of brilliant wildflowers (reaching their peak in June) that extend for many miles.  Its fields produce the famous tiny and tasty lentils of Castelluccio, the rarest in Italy.

In an effort to make the discovery of Umbria and Tuscany more convenient and enjoyable for our guests, we have prepared and provide an up-to-date guest booklet with day trip itineraries from El Marsam.  These pages include directions, restaurant and shopping suggestions, and sights to be seen.