
Narni is a city in the province of Terni, built on a rocky spur above the valley of the Nera River. It was originally a pre-Roman settlement with the name of Nequinum; in 300 B.C. it was central to the interests of Rome and became a Roman colony with the Latin name of
Narnia (from the Nahar river, that runs nearby). A local legend tells that, in medieval times, a Gryphon lived in the area between Narni and Perugia. The two cities (at war) had teamed up to defeat him and, once killed, Perugia took the (white) bones of the Griffin as a trophy, while Narni had the (red) skin. For this reason, the symbol of Perugia is a white Gryphon while Narni's one is red. In Narni there is a city beneath the city, where time seems to stand still. Visiting Narni underground will let you to go back in history and discover ancient legends. The Chronicles of Narnia (a series of fantasy novels written by the writer C. S. Lewis) took the name just from this city.
A list of the most interesting places to visit when you are in Narni:
- The Cathedral - Dedicated to the first bishop of Narni, St. Giovenale
- Palazzo dei Priori
- Town Hall
- Rocca of Albornoz
- Augustus Bridge - Built in the first century BC in Roman style. Only one arch, recently restored, still stands and rises over 30 meters above the Nera River
- Museum Eroli - It houses an altar piece by Ghirlandaio and an Annunciation by Benozzo Gozzoli
- The Municipal Theater
- Church St. Maria Impensole
- Church of St. Francis
- Church of St. Domenico
- Church of St. Agostino
- Church St. Margherita
- Church St. Restituta
- Narni underground
- Abbey of S. Cassiano (XII century)
- Castle of St. Girolamo
- Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ponte
- Cave of St. Francis
- Romanesque church of St. Pudenziana (just outside the city)
- Aqueduct Formina
- Source of Feronia
- Stifone, the ancient Roman boatyard
- Abbey of Sant'Angelo in Massa