NORCIA (originally Norsia, meaning 'fortune',is
famed as the birthplace of St Benedict, founder of Western
monasticism, and patron saint of Europe.
One of Italy's great culinary capitals, it
is renowned for its truffles, pork sausages, hams, cheeses
and lentils. Indeed, throughout Italy you will find shops
called 'Norcinerie' that reflect Norcia's fame.
Still surrounded by its twelfth century walls,
Norcia has been inhabited since pre-historic times, thanks
to abundant springs, fine agricultural land and a commanding
position at one of the lower east-west routes across the Apennines.
Although affected by a general shift in population
to the larger cities, Norcia has recently enjoyed a revival,
thanks to the production and renewed popularity of its traditional
produce, sold to visitors and to Norcinerie in other areas
of Italy.
