Narni is a small hilltown village located in the Italian province of Terni on the southern boundary of the Umbria region, very near the exact geographical center of Italy.
Although there is evidence of Neolithic remains in the area, the first historical document known is dated 600 b.c. where Nequinum is mentioned. In 299 the town was known as Narnia, a Roman colony. The name comes from the nearby Nar river, which is called the Nera today. Narni rose in importance with the construction of the Via Flaminia from Rome to Rimini. In the 12th and 14th century Narni became part of the Papal State and developed an important school of painting and goldsmiths.
Over 50 years ago C. S. Lewis invented a place called Narnia. It has been said that Lewis discovered the name (Narnia) in an atlas as a child, though he may also have come across mention of the city in his university studies.The modern-day town of Narni (as it is now known) honors a local saint known as "Blessed Lucy of Narnia." Today the town's Cathedral of Narnia adjoins a shrine to this St. Lucy.
Rocca Albornoz Castle
The castle was built in the 13th century and was originally used as a fortress and then later converted into a castle. Because of it's medieval structure and similarity to buildings in Jerusalem, a few years ago it was used in filming of The Passion of the Christ.
The
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
In its day the castle was an important part of Narni and many important families, generals, cardinals and popes stayed there. It was also the seat of power for at least one governor or the region. The castle belonged to Boniface IX and in the year 1394 when Guelph Narni sided with antipope Clement VII, Boniface IX ordered the castle should be passed on to the Ghibellines.
In the year 1396 the castle was sold off to Andrea Tomacelli who was the captain of the papal army. Tomacelli gifted the fortress to Ludovico Migliorati in 1406. Nearly twenty-five years later the castle passed into the hands of the descendents of Martin V--the Earl of Celano, Prince of Salerno, his brother Edward and Antonio Colonna.
Following the sitting Pope's death in February 1431 riots broke out
between the followers of the new Pope and the Colonna in Narni. The
rioting only ceased when the Colonna were expelled from the town. From
the year 1449 on Narni, along with Rocca Albornoz, became part of the
Papal State.
Nicholas V took refuge in the castle in 1449 to escape plauge and during his stay completed some defence works designed by Bernard Settignano. Additional work was done on the castle during the time of Pope Sixtus IV and Pope Innocent VIII.
Even after serious attacks during the Sack of Rome in 1551 ad 1556 the fortress remained standing. Over the years it was host to several famous guests such as Peter II Eroli, Federico Lolli, Eustace, Ubertino Strozzi, Durante Duranti, John Tomacelli, and Controsello Caracciolo di Napoli.
The castle was converted into a prison in 1834, which remained in operation until 1906 when it was purchased by Russian Prince Mestchezsy. The Russian bought the fortress at auction for only 13,000 pounds, which were made in installments.
The Structure
Rocca Albornoz is a typical military structure, built for function. The quadrilateral fortress was designed to protect and features four towers in its four corners along with a taller, square tower created by combining two smaller towers.
The landscape surrounding the castle is enchanting and the fortress itself is perched at the top of a hill, 332 meters high, which overlooks the Nera Valley. The castle is surrounded by double walls and a moat and also housed a chapel. There is a cistern in travertine that opens up to the courtyard. The manor house is located on the first floor and the other rooms in the castle were used for the garrison. Today these rooms store the municipal assets and after years of restoration work the fortress has been returned to its original glory.
The structure of the castle is quite typical to the time when it had been build with its square shape, however, the circular towers had been added later.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.XoRVzZ78.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
Narni - Rocca Albornoz - Aerial View - Photo courtesy of museiprovinciaterni.it
In its day the castle was an important part of Narni and many important families, generals, cardinals and popes stayed there. It was also the seat of power for at least one governor or the region. The castle belonged to Boniface IX and in the year 1394 when Guelph Narni sided with antipope Clement VII, Boniface IX ordered the castle should be passed on to the Ghibellines.
In the year 1396 the castle was sold off to Andrea Tomacelli who was the captain of the papal army. Tomacelli gifted the fortress to Ludovico Migliorati in 1406. Nearly twenty-five years later the castle passed into the hands of the descendents of Martin V--the Earl of Celano, Prince of Salerno, his brother Edward and Antonio Colonna.
Narni - Rocca Albornoz - Side View - Photo courtesy of museiprovinciaterni.it
Nicholas V took refuge in the castle in 1449 to escape plauge and during his stay completed some defence works designed by Bernard Settignano. Additional work was done on the castle during the time of Pope Sixtus IV and Pope Innocent VIII.
Even after serious attacks during the Sack of Rome in 1551 ad 1556 the fortress remained standing. Over the years it was host to several famous guests such as Peter II Eroli, Federico Lolli, Eustace, Ubertino Strozzi, Durante Duranti, John Tomacelli, and Controsello Caracciolo di Napoli.
The castle was converted into a prison in 1834, which remained in operation until 1906 when it was purchased by Russian Prince Mestchezsy. The Russian bought the fortress at auction for only 13,000 pounds, which were made in installments.
Narni - Eroli Museum - Entrance - Photo courtesy of
The Structure
Rocca Albornoz is a typical military structure, built for function. The quadrilateral fortress was designed to protect and features four towers in its four corners along with a taller, square tower created by combining two smaller towers.
The landscape surrounding the castle is enchanting and the fortress itself is perched at the top of a hill, 332 meters high, which overlooks the Nera Valley. The castle is surrounded by double walls and a moat and also housed a chapel. There is a cistern in travertine that opens up to the courtyard. The manor house is located on the first floor and the other rooms in the castle were used for the garrison. Today these rooms store the municipal assets and after years of restoration work the fortress has been returned to its original glory.
The structure of the castle is quite typical to the time when it had been build with its square shape, however, the circular towers had been added later.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.XoRVzZ78.dpuf
Rocca Albornoz is one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in
the 14th century the Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure
meant to protect the territory from invasions and is now used for
various exhibitions and for various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.J65JATel.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.J65JATel.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
he
town of Narni is a part of the Umbria region and is located on a
stunning limestone cliff overlooking the Black River. Rocca Albornoz is
one of the town's most notable landmarks. Built in the 14th century the
Rocca Albornoz was originally a military structure meant to protect the
territory from invasions and is now used for various exhibitions and for
various conferences.
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
History of the Castle
The castle was built in the year 1367 on the remains of an ancient military settlement by Cardinal Egidio Albornoz. It is believed that the earlier military settlement was built by Frederick Barbarossa. Rocca Albornoz was constructed by the architects Matthew Gattapone and Grimoard, a brother of Pope Urban V, and was completed in 1378.
- See more at: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/umbria/rocca-albornoz#sthash.AJOOeChl.dpuf
Just outside the town of Narni are the ruins of an ancient Roman Acqueduct. The exact center of the country of Italy is near the site of the acqueduct.
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