Historical information
Although Neolithic people lived in this region, the first historical document, mentioning the town, is dated 600 B.C., when Nequinum and its inhabitants are mentioned. In 299 B.C., Narni was a Roman colony under the name of Narnia, a name that comes from the Nar river, which today is called the Nera.
In 233 B.C., with the construction of the Via Flaminia from Rome to Rimini on the Adriatic coast, Narni became of major importance and had to be heavily fortified because the road passed through the town. In 90 B.C., Narffia became a municipality (semi-independent) town within the Roman Empire.
The first Christian Bishop of Nami, Giovenale from Carthage, was chosen in 368 A.D. and later was consecrated as Saint Patron of the town.
Narni's strategic position, standing as it does above the deep gorge of the River Nera, has made it a target for many. invading and barbarian forces.
In the 11th century it established its power as a free "Coniune" (autonomous town).
Between the 12th and the 14th century it reached its greatest period of splendour. In 1371, the Pope reformed the statutes of the city and Narni became part of the Papal State.
Narni developed a school of painting and goldsmiths. Many artists of the Renaissance period produced works for clients and patrons in Narni: Rossellino, Ghiriandaio, Gozzoli, Vecchietta, Antoniazzo Romano and Spagna. On the 27th of July 1527, the Lanzichenecchi (northern mercenaries) stopped on their way back from the sacking of Rome and destroyed Narni. Slowly the walls, buildings and churches were rebuilt and by the end of the century, Narni had been re-established.
After the rebuilding, many important artists returned to Narni: including Vignola and Zuccari; also Sangallo and Scalza, who took part in the reconstruction of the town.
In 1664 the Town Library (Biblioteca Comunale) was founded. Many famous people have been born in Nami, including: the emperor M. C. Nerva, Gattamelata, the Beata Lucia, Berardo Eroli, Galeotto Marzio and S. Cassio.

worth seeing in …
Piazza Garibaldi, Via dell'Arco Romano, the Cathedral (dedicated to San Giovenale, first Bishop and Patron of the town), Via Del Campanile, Church of San Francesco (13th century), Palazzo dei Priori (Priori Palace) (1275), Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) (1273), Church of Santa Maria Impensole (1175), the Torri dei Marzi (Towers of Marzi) (1400), Palazzo Scotti (Scotti Palace) (1500), Garden of San Berardo, Underground of San Domenico (13th century), Church of Santa Maria Maggiore (1400), Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace), Palazzo Arca-Corsini (Arca-Corsini Palace), Church of Santa Restituita, Palazzo Cardoli (Cardoli Palace) (15th century), the Opera Beata Lucia (1700), Palazzo Capocaccia (Capocaccia Palace) (1545), Church of Sant'Agostino (14th century), Church of Santa Margherita (1600), Albornoz Castle (1370), Fonte di Feronia.