The City of Norcia |
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 La
storia della cittą
Founded by the Sabini, the historical centre was completly fenced with walls. In according to historians, the territory of Norcia was inhabitated since neolithic times, but first testimony of continous settlements, go back to the VIIIth century b.C. It develops until the end of the Vth century b.C. and its name derives from the Etruscan Norcia (fortune). Ancient Nursia was celebrated by Livio, Plutarco and Vigilio. This last, mentioned in Aeneid besides Turno in the fight against Aeneas, Ufente, leader of the Nursinis. He was remembered for the first time in 205 b.C., when allied to Rome in the second Punic war, offered Scipione, together with the cities Rieti and Amiternum, some volunteers. In the IInd century b.C., it was erected a prefecture and then a roman municipality in the IVth Sabina region. Hostility to the attempt of reformation of the Gracchi, it sides with Antonio and so it was defeated by Ottaviano. Converted to Christianity in the 250's by San Feliciano, bishop of Foligno. it was diocese see in the Vlth century. Ravaged by the Goths and then by the Longobardics which subjected it to the Dukedom of Spoleto. In the IXth century it was devastated by the Saracen, later on, in high medieval times, it passes through a period of dejection caused by emigrations and a high deathrate, its recovery was due to the territorial position and the nearness of the Sant'Eutizio Abbey. Together with another seven cities, it was separated from Ottone Ist (962) of the Italian Kingdom and subjected to the Church. Predominates the Guelphic village Norcia, the Pope made use of it during hes sojourn at Avignone, to subdue the Ghibelline Cascia. Constituted in a free commune in the XIIth century, it has a flourishing but difficult life caused by continual inside fights between Guelphic and Ghibelline villages, besides external wars with Spoleto, to have more autonomy and with the neighbouring villages, to have supremacy over the territory. A disastrous earthquake fall heavy on the whole area: according to ancient chronicles, it caused 5000 dead, improbable amount. Definitively subjected to the Church of Cardinal Albornoz. For requirements of defence and to have greater politico-administrative authority, in 1554, the Castellina fortress was build by Giulio IIIrd, in the centre of the city. Under the pontificate of Gregorio XIIIth in 1569, it was constituted in prefecture with jurisdiction over Cascia, Monteleone, Cerreto and Visso, and successively also over the marchigian slope of Sibyllines. Pio Vllth re-established episcopal see in 1821. The mountainous order of this area, favoured constitute of groups of partisans during the last war |
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