Narni, the geographic centre of Italy, is situated in the region of Umbria. It's a typical Umbrian town, built on a hill 240 metres above sea level with strong medieval traces. The town has outstanding views over the River Nera and its valley. Although Neolithic people lived in this region, the first historical document mentioning the town is dated 600 B.C., when Nequinum and its inhabitants are mentioned by Livio. In 299 B.C., Narni was a Latin Colony under the name of Narnia, a name that comes from the Nahar river, today know as Nera. In 220 B.C.the via Flaminia crossing  permitted economic development of the area . In 369 AD,Christians in Narni elected as their first bishop the Carthaginian Giovenale, who, when he died, was buried near the city's wall, where, in the 12th century the Cathedral was erected in that same place.

Narni was occupied by the Longobards and Byzantines. During these occupations the city lived the richest  period of its history. In 1371, the pope reformed  the statutes and Narni became part of the Papal state. On the 27^th of July 1527, the Lanzichenecchi (Northen mercenaries) stopped on their way back from the sacking of Rome and destroyed Narni completely.

After rebuilding, many important artists returned to Narni :Vignola, Zuccari, Sangallo and Scalza. Many famous people  have been born in Narni : the emperor Nerva, the leader of the mercenary troops Erasmo from Narni called " Gattamelata", the Beata Lucia, the humanitarian Galeotto Marzio.