Signora Sheila

We have great fun asking kids, “Did we ever tell you about the day we went to Narnia?” This question is usually met with wide-eyed amazement. But it’s true! We were in Narnia, right here in Italy!

The real Narnia

There really is a place called Narnia! A small Italian town in the Umbria region of central Italy.

It’s small and picturesque. A place where even the cobbled streets seem to say, “Come and explore me! There’s plenty to see!” Ancient streets and arched gates, Roman ruins, and even a world underground!

It dates back to 600 BC, when it was known as Nequinum. Until that is, the Romans conquered it and renamed it Narnia! Which for some reason was shortened to Narni over the years.

Little known in Roman times, Narnia’s one great glory rested in its Ponte d’Augusto. One of the largest Roman bridges ever built, it spans the River Nera along the old Roman Via Flaminia. One arch of that ancient bridge, 30 meters tall, still stands today.

Narnia and C.S. Lewis

But the town became famous in 1950 after C.S. Lewis published his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The first book in his Chronicles of Narnia series. Lewis chose the name for his fictional land of Narnia after finding the small Umbrian town on a map.

No one seems to know if Lewis ever visited Narni. But there must have been some magic in the name because The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe remains one of the most widely read children’s books of all time. And the magical kingdom of Narnia, Aslan, and all the rest are still loved by young and old alike.

Let’s go to Narnia!

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Come along and see the magic of Narnia…

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First we’ll have tea with Mr. Tumnus…

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But then, let the streets be cleared. Make way for the king! We’re off to Cair Paravel…

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For the royal coronations!

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Our visit has ended. But never fear, we’ll be back!
Because once a king or queen, always a king or queen of Narnia!

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And because there’s always a way back into Narnia!

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But pray, may we never find Cair Paravel an abandoned ruin.

Visit subterranean Narni

Narni is a beautiful city and full of mystery, as seen in its ancient and mysterious underground city! Its discovery attracted international attention in the 1970’s. So when you return, be sure to visit Subterranean Narni!

Underground Narni is a fascinating labyrinth that takes you back in time. Aqueducts, cisterns and vaults indicate that the underground city may have once been inhabited.

But we also see signs of great suffering the torture chambers and graffiti on the prison walls. Remnants that are still intact so many years after the Inquisitions of the Middle Ages. Not that they make for a pleasant visit, but they make history come alive!

Tour of subterranean Narni virtually!

You can visit Subterranean Narni, too, without even leaving your home! Just click here for a virtual tour! And you’ll be transported right back to medieval times! (Once on the Subterranean Narni website, scroll to the bottom and select “English.”) Or visit the Chronicles of Narnia website to learn more about Aslan’s Narnia!

But of course the best way to see Narnia is to come and visit it for yourself! It really is like another world!

We hope to return to Narni one day. But even if we don’t make it, we do know that we’ll one day get to the real Narnia. Aslan’s Land of Narnia, you know. For “once a king or queen… always a king or queen!”

What about you? Have you ever been to Italy’s Narni or to Aslan’s Narnia? Would you like to visit them?

Resource: Narni Old Town.

📷 Images are mine