Norcia

The day started once again with a misty view of Todi and Bruno's town.... Porchiano

Porchiano from the bedroom window.

Norcia is a 2 hour drive from Todi so we planed to stop in the ancient town of Spoleto on the way.
As we drove in to Spoleto we realised that an arts festival was underway. The Festival dei Due Mondi lasts for 3 weeks and is a very important cultural event in Italy. The Spoleto festival inspired the Melbourne Arts Festival many years ago and is a forum for performers from around the globe.

Performing art in the gardens.

Spoleto hosts a Roman ampitheatre, a medieval aqueduct called the Ponte delle Torri, the Rocca Albornoziana fortress and 13 churches! This seems a lot for a town of approximately 38,000 citizens.

Walking to the aqueduct.

Daniel walking across the aqueduct.

Looking down the valley from the aqueduct.

Madeleine, Daniel and Dad walking past one of Spoleto's water spouts

From Spoleto it was on to Norcia; a remote Umbrian town in the Appenine mountains. Norcia is the gateway to the Monti Sibillini national park and the Piano grande.... but more on that tomorrow...
St Benedict was born in Norcia in 480AD. There is a church and a monastery dedicated to him in the town. The Benedictine monks conduct a traditional service at the close of each day. You can sit and witness their solemn chants; after a busy day it is a quiet time for reflection - which we enjoyed. Saint Benedict is the patron saint of Europe and Norcia attracts many pilgrims to his shrine.
As a surprise for Madeleine and Daniel, Mum and Dad planned to stay in Norcia over night. Palazzo Seneca is a family run hotel with a local history which extends back hundreds of years. Being high in the mountains it is relatively "biting bug" free. Daniel, Madeleine and Dad were suffering from "midge" bites so this was a welcome relief.

The view from our Palazzo Seneca room.

After settling in we walked off to explore this beautiful town.

Looking back at the archway through the wall of the old town.

A norcineria in the heart of Norcia.

Norcia is famous for the prized black truffles found in the area and wild boar. The people of Norcia are specialists in making sausages and ham from the boar. These products in Italian are known as "norcineria". The dinner we enjoyed at the Palazzo Seneca was a "truffle" extravaganza! - well Mum and Dads dinner was, we enjoyed pasta and chicken......

Pasta Burro with "Superman" paprika.

Chicken with "Jenga" chips.

Our waiter was very attentive and thoroughly enjoyed the company of Daniel and Madeleine.

We went to sleep dreaming of playing soccer up on the Piano Grande......