Norcia, Medieval commune in Perugia, Italy
Norcia is a commune in the province of Perugia situated on a plateau in eastern Umbria near the Monti Sibillini mountain range. The compact center is enclosed by defensive walls from the 14th century and contains churches, squares, and stone buildings.
The area was inhabited in ancient times when the Sabines established an outpost in the 7th century BC. The Romans later took over the settlement and developed it into a municipality.
The town is closely tied to the mythological Sibyl of the Apennines, an ancient figure who lives in local stories. Along the streets you will find butcher shops and specialty food stores that carry on the traditional craft of meat processing.
You can walk across the town center in about an hour, following the path within the walls. Spring and autumn offer mild weather for walking, while winter brings snow and cold conditions.
The name norcinererie, used for charcuterie shops across central Italy, comes from the local mastery of meat processing. This craft tradition continues today even after the 2016 earthquake.
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