Sant'urbano
Welcome to Sant'Urbano: a small village between history and nature
Sant'Urbano is a small hamlet belonging to the municipality of Narni, in the province of Terni, situated on top of a hill at 444 meters of altitude. Despite having only 50 inhabitants, the village has a very interesting history and several tourist attractions that are worth visiting.
The history of Sant'Urbano
The first traces of human presence in Sant'Urbano date back to Roman times, as confirmed by the discovery of some fragments in travertine of a base of the statue of Fortuna. In the Middle Ages, the local lords were the Castles of Terni, but the village almost always remained under the jurisdiction of Narni. In 1291, Sant'Urbano was hit by "interdict" for not wanting to pay taxes to the Papal State, while in 1532 Ippolito de' Medici briefly camped there, as he was going to war against the Turks, provisioning at the expense of the village.
Monuments and places of interest
Although there are no remaining traces of the ancient castle structure, Sant'Urbano has several tourist attractions to visit. The most important one is the Franciscan Grotto, built near the caves where Saint Francis used to retreat to pray. The place was probably inhabited since the year 1000 by the Benedictines, who managed the Chapel of San Silvestro. Now it is home to the Franciscans in the convent built by Saint Bernardino of Siena. Worth noting are the cloister, the chapel, the bed where the saint used to rest, and the surrounding ancient forest. Another place of interest is the Cisterna della "Formina", the starting point for the aqueduct of the same name that carries water to Narni along a 13 km route.
Economy and events
Although the economy of the village is mainly based on agriculture and pastoralism, Sant'Urbano also offers some important events. In the month of May, the "procession of Intusse" takes place, which are particular torches made by the inhabitants: a stick with pieces of pine, called "lustrini", carried in procession through the village. The procession takes place in common with the nearby villages of Itieli and San Faustino, to commemorate the patrons Saint Nicholas of Bari, Saint Michael the Archangel, and Saint Eurosia.
Conclusions
Sant'Urbano is surely one of the most charming villages in the province of Terni. Despite its history dating back to Roman times, the village offers several touristic attractions, such as the Franciscan Grotto and the Cisterna della "Formina". Moreover, several events take place every year, including the "procession of Intusse". If you have the chance to visit this village, don't hesitate to do so!
