Norcia (), traditionally known in English by its Latin name of Nursia ( ), is a town and (municipality) in the province of Perugia in southeastern Umbria, Italy.
Unlike many ancient towns, it is located in a wide plain abutting the Monti Sibillini, a subrange of the Apennines with some of its highest peaks, near the Sordo River, a small stream that eventually flows into the Nera. The town is popularly associated with the Valnerina (the valley of the Nera). It is a member of ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
The area is known for its air and scenery, and is a base for mountaineering and hiking. It is also widely known for hunting, especially of the wild boar, and for sausages and ham made from wild boar and pork. In Italian, such products have been named after Norcia, and are known as .
Etymology
The name Norcia has been connected with several ancient traditions. According to Adone Palmieri, it has been linked to a King Urso Nursino, while another tradition derives the name from the goddess Nortia, identified with Fortuna, who was venerated there by the Etruscans.
History
Pre-Roman period
Norcia, ancient Nursia, was a city of the Sabines, although situated very close to the territory of the Umbrians, as attested by classical writers including Livy, Plutarch, Dionysius, Pliny, Silius Italicus, and Ptolemy.
The earliest historical mention occurs during the Second Punic War in 205 BC, when Norcia was among the cities that voluntarily supplied soldiers for the army of Scipio. On that occasion only three Sabine cities were named: Norcia, Rieti, and Amiternum. Later the citizens of Norcia were punished by Octavian for providing assistance to Lucius Antonius during the Perusine War.
Pope Boniface IX, by a special brief, granted to the municipality of Norcia in 1398 the castle of Mevole with full jurisdiction and the title of marquisate, together with Riofreddo and other neighboring places.
Geography
thumb|December landscape on the plain surrounding Norcia
Norcia lies in the most mountainous part of Umbria, near the central Apennine chain and close to the Sibillini Mountains. The climate is harsh, and vegetation develops late and remains limited.
In 2021, 593 people lived in rural dispersed dwellings not assigned to any named locality.
The basilica was built between 1290 and 1338 over a pre-existing crypt and was later enlarged by the monks of Sant'Eutizio in Valcastoriana. In the 14th century the bell tower was erected;
Santa Maria Argentea
thumb|Façade and bell tower of Santa Maria Argentea seen from the piazza, March 2016
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea stands on the southern side of Piazza San Benedetto. It was built after 1560, while the bell tower dates to 1869.
Built in opus incertum and covered by a barrel vault, the lower level receives light and air from small openings set between the columns of the portico above. The portico has a single aisle, with an inner facade of Doric columns made of brick. The floor is made of thick cocciopesto. The entablature was wooden and decorated with terracotta slabs, and the roof had two slopes. Excavation dates the building to the second half of the 1st century BC.