What to see in Narni in one day
The medieval village of San Gemini is located in a perfect position to discover suggestive Umbrian towns rich in historical, artistic and religious testimonies such as Spoleto, Terni, Amelia and the marvellous Narni. In Narni, it is possible to experience the unique and enchanted world of its underground that still hide many secrets and mysteries or visit the beautiful Cathedral of San Giovenale, a place of worship built over 1,000 years ago. Here, you can also visit important Franciscan places as the Church of Saint Francis with Eroli Chapel characterized by evocative frescoes and the Sacro Speco, a sanctuary where the Saint spent a lot of time and where it is possible to admire its bed. Moreover, among the Narni attractions, there is the Augustus Bridge, an imposing infrastructure built in Roman times and depicted in a painting exhibited at the Louvre. Discover what to see in Narni in one day: 
The Narni Underground
One of the main attractions to see in Narni is its suggestive and mysterious underground. During a tour of the Narni underground you can admire a cistern dating back to the Roman era, the small area of the Church of Saint Michael Archangel dating back to the twelfth century, the spaces of the former convent of Saint Dominicus and the rooms of the Inquisition, where politicians, spies and murderers were tortured and executed. So, to visit the Narni undergrounds means to discover different historical periods and their secrets and mysteries.
- Useful information: the Narni underground tours are held at fixed times, so before planning your visit check them carefully. Guided tours are available in Italian, English, French and German and, also, dogs are allowed.
The Cathedral of San Giovenale
During a break in Narni, you can’t miss a visit to the Cathedral of San Giovenale, one of the most interesting Christian places of worship in Umbria thanks to the stratification of the architectural styles used during its 1,000 years of history. The Cathedral of San Giovenale was built in 1047, near the ancient city walls on a previous medieval necropolis, and houses the remains of San Giovenale, the first bishop of Narni. As soon as you enter this Cathedral, whose façade is characterized by a beautiful portico, you are seized by an intense halo of mysticism and you can admire the sobriety of its interiors opposed to its elaborate altar.
- Useful information: the main entrance of the Cathedral of San Giovenale is in Cavour Square.
The Church of Saint Francis and the Eroli Chapel
The Umbrian territory is full of testimonies of the life and pilgrimage of Saint Francis, the poor of Assisi and, also, in Narni there is a church dedicated to him. The Church of Saint Francis was built in 1227 with a Roman-Gothic style characterized by extremely austere and simple interiors that reflect the lifestyle preached by the Saint. This church has 5 chapels and the most famous is the Eroli Chapel embellished with marvellous frescoes that illustrate episodes of Saint Francis’life.
- Useful information: the Church of Saint Francis in Narni is located in Via Aurelio Saffi at 24.
The Augustus Bridge
After admiring the beauty of the historic centre of Narni, it is recommended to reach the Nera river to admire the remains of the Augustus Bridge, an infrastructure of the Roman Age dating back to the first-century A.C.. This bridge located near the important river port of Narni, linked the Corviano and Santa Croce Mountains and was built at the behest of Augustus. This Roman emperor commissioned different infrastructures along the path of the Via Flaminia, the important consular road that connected Rome with northern Italy. Nowadays you can see only 4 pylons of this bridge, but they are enough to testimony the amazing dimensions of this Roman infrastructure. During the nineteenth century, the Augustus Bridge caught the attention of numerous artists who arrived in Italy for the Grand Tour and Jean Baptiste Camille Corot depicted it on a canvas now displayed at the Louvre in Paris.
The Speco of Saint Francis
Moving away from Narni, about 14 km from the city centre, there is another important Franciscan place, the Sacro Speco. This sanctuary located in a position from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Narni valley was founded by Saint Francis in 1213 near the caves where he usually retreated in prayer and meditation. The Speco of Saint Francis is unfortunately linked to a sad episode of the life of the Saint. Here he spent a period of illness and the friars built a small stone cell with a wooden bed so that he could pray without having to reach the church. The bed where the poor of Assisi spent days and nights is exposed in a case inside the Speco and is one of the most important relics of the life of the Saint.
- Useful information: you can visit the Speco of Saint Francis every day from 8.30 to 19.30 and dogs are allowed. If you want to stop here to enjoy the quiet of this enchanted place you can have a picnic in a near green area.
