Narni

Geographic center of Italy, situated in the province of Terni, in the region of Umbria.

It’s a typical Umbrian town, built on a hill 790 feet above sea level with 20.570 inhabitants and strong medieval traces. The town has outstanding views over the river Nera valley and the wide plane of Terni. Narni offers artistic, archaeological and religious itineraries, plus an abundance of natural history for the tourist. The town’s theater dates back to 1800.

It is surrounded by cultural gems, including the renowned cities of Perugia, Assisi, Todi, Spoleto.

Narni is situated 62 miles from Rome and 46 miles from Perugia.

How to reach Narni by plane:

The nearest airport is Rome Fiumicino (FCO).

For the participants of the Culture&Leisure Program, Narnia Arts Academy provides private transportation by bus from the Rome Fiumicino Airport to Narni and from Narni to the Rome Fiumicino Airport for 35 euros each way.

Those who would like to take advantage of our private transportation options should arrive and leave accordingly to the dates and schedules in which the service is offered.

Bus from the Rome Fiumicino Airport to Narni:

  • July 19, approximate time of departure between 1.00pm and 2.00pm
  • July 27, approximate time of departure between 11.00am and 12.00pm

Bus from Narni to the Rome Fiumicino Airport:

  • July 27, approximate time of departure between 6.00am and 7.00am
  • August 3, approximate time of departure between 6.00am and 7.00am

Please send us your arrival and departure time, airline and flight number before July 5.

How to reach Narni by train:

The nearest train station is Narni – Amelia and is connected with Roma Termini or Roma Tiburtina train station by hourly trains.
Check the train schedule on www.trenitalia.com.
For the participants of the Culture&Leisure Program, Narnia Arts Academy provides car transportation from the Narni – Amelia train station to all lodging facilities and from all lodging facilities to the Narni – Amelia train station.

Please let us know your train schedule by July 15th.

How to reach Narni by car:

Northbound

  • Take Highway A1 toward Florence
  • Take the exit toward SS3
  • Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Otricoli/Calvi dell’Umbria/Terni
  • Turn left onto SS3
  • Turn right onto Via Flaminia Romana/SS3
  • Continue to follow SS3
  • Turn right onto Strada Narni-Sant’Urbano/SP20
  • Turn right onto Strada Narni-Sant’Urbano.

Southbound:

  • Take Highway A1 toward Rome
  • Take exit Orte toward Via Terni/E45/SS204
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Perugia/Terni/Narni/Flaminia/Fano/E45/Cesena/Amelia and merge onto Via Terni/E45/SS204
  • Take the ramp onto SS675
  • Take exit Narni to merge onto SS204
  • Continue onto Via Tiberina/SS3ter
  • Slight right onto Strada dei Tre Ponti/SP1
  • Turn right onto Via Flaminia Ternana/SS3
  • Turn right to stay on Via Flaminia Ternana/SS3
  • Sharp left onto Strada Narni- Sant’Urbano/SP20
  • Turn right onto Strada Narni-Sant’Urbano.

Average temperatures in July:

72F – 78F (22C – 25C)

Historical information:

Although Neolithic people lived in this region, the first historical document mentioning the town is dated 600 B.C.
Narni was a Roman colony under the name of Narnia, a name that comes from the Nar River, which today is called the Nera.
In 233 B.C., with the construction of the via Flaminia from Rome to Rimini on the Adriatic coast, Narni became of major importance and it was heavily fortified because the road passed through the town.

In 90 B.C., Narnia became a municipally (semi independent) town within the Roman Empire.
The first Christian Bishop of Narni, Giovenale from Cartage, was chosen in 368 A.D. and later was consecrated as Patron Saint of the town.
Narni’s strategic position, standing as it does above the deep gorge of the river Nera, has made it a target of many invading and barbarian forces.
In the 11th Century it established its power as a free “Comune” (autonomous town).
Between the 12th and the 14th century it reached its greatest splendor.
In 1371, the Pope Reformed the Statutes of the city and Narni became part of the Papal State.
Narni developed a school of painting and goldsmithing. Many artists of the renaissance period produced work for clients and patrons in Narni: Rosellino, Ghirlandaio, Gozzoli, Vecchietta, Antoniazzo, Romano and Spagna.
On the 17th of July 1527 the Lanzichenecchi (northern mercenaries) stopped on their way back from the sacking of Rome and destroyed Narni.
Slowly the walls, buildings and churches were rebuilt and by the end of the century, Narni had been re-established.
After the rebuilding, many important artists returned to Narni, including Vignola and Zuccari. Also Sangallo and Scalza, who took part in the reconstruction of the town.
In 1664 the town library was founded. Many famous people were born in Narni, including: the emperor M.C. Nerva, Gattamelata, the Beata Lucia, Bernardo, Eroli, Galeotto Marzio and S. Cassio.