Norcia, Italy

Norcia is a town in Italy, in the region of Umbria. It is known as the birthplace of St. Benedict. Norcia was founded in the 5th century BC and after the Second Punic War in 205 BC it was annexed to Rome and became a Roman outpost. During the Middle Ages Norcia was briefly an independent city state and was later annexed to the Papal States. Next to Norcia is the famous Monti Sibillini National Park, and in the city itself interesting to see are: the Piazza San Benedetto with the City Palace, the church of St. Benedict from the 14th century; Castellina, an imposing papal castle; the City Diocesan Museum, etc.