Piazza San Benedetto

The Square at the Heart of Norcia

Piazza San Benedetto is the civic and spiritual centre of Norcia, a walled town set against the Sibillini Mountains. The wide, paved square has been the town's gathering place for centuries, lined with porticoed buildings, cafés and shops famed for the region's cured meats and black truffles.

The Basilica of San Benedetto

Dominating one side of the piazza, the Basilica of San Benedetto rises above the spot traditionally held to be the birthplace of Saint Benedict and his twin sister Scholastica. Its Gothic façade and slender bell tower are among the most recognisable landmarks of the Umbrian Apennines.

The Palazzo Comunale and Civic Architecture

Beside the basilica, the arcaded Palazzo Comunale and the Castellina fortress reflect Norcia's long history as a free commune. The square's harmonious stone buildings and central monument to Saint Benedict make it a focal point of the town's resilient heritage.

A Window onto Mountain Town Life

The camera captures the everyday rhythm of this Apennine town — locals crossing the square, visitors exploring the historic core, and the Monti Sibillini rising in the distance. It offers a constant, authentic glimpse of one of Umbria's most storied piazzas.