Nocera Umbra between the old town, the Apennines and springs

Nocera Umbra combines a historic centre with the landscapes of the Umbrian-Marche Apennines and the springs in the surrounding area. Small lanes, museums, suggested circular routes and mountain trails offer different ways to explore the town. When planning your trip, the contrast between culture in the town centre, hiking experiences on Monte Pennino and nature along waterways and springs is particularly appealing.

Historic Centre and Art

The centre of Nocera Umbra preserves a historic urban fabric with small lanes, the former Via del Borgo from the 13th century, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, traces of frescoes and artistically designed portals. The cathedral has a Romanesque portal from the 10th century. The Palio dei Quartieri also refers to this town centre: it began in 1989 as a historical re-enactment intended to rediscover and enhance the historic centre of Nocera Umbra.

The Museo Civico di San Francesco is located in the historic centre, in the former Church of San Francesco. The museum preserves a cross from the second half of the 13th century, a polyptych created in 1483 by Niccolò di Liberatore (l’Alunno), and a work by Matteo da Gualdo. The Museo Archeologico contains important finds from the Lombard necropolis in the Portone area.

Also located in the historic centre is CEDAT, the Centro di Documentazione dell’Acqua e della Terra, in Palazzo Camilli. Nocera’s water and land are the focus there, including the three most important springs: Angelica, Cacciatore and Flaminia.

Monte Pennino and Trails Around Nocera

Monte Pennino is a mountain in the Umbrian-Marche Apennines. It reaches 1,571 metres above sea level and is the highest mountain in the Nocera area. Excursions on Monte Pennino extend as far as the Grottos of Sant’Angelo, which are considered to have been a former monastery dating from the 8th century.

Four suggested circular routes lead through the historic centre, to the old walls, places of interest, works of art and churches. For longer walks, two routes start in Nocera: Sentiero 318 ends in Cariè and is intended for suitably equipped tourists and hikers wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Sentiero 306 begins in Nocera Umbra and ends in Bagnara. Sentiero 351 is intended for hikers wearing shoes or hiking boots with sturdy soles and carrying a backpack, water and a snack.

Springs, Water and Nature

The Angelica spring rises in Bagni di Nocera. Its mineral water was already being consumed there for therapeutic purposes in 1500; later, a thermal centre was opened near the spring. In the area around the Angelica spring in the hamlet of Bagni, the Romita di San Francesco preserves the remains of a chapel’s apse, the course of the walls and the hermitage where Saint Francis lived in the summer of 1226.

In the area around Nocera Umbra, the Diga di Acciano reservoir is considered a destination for sport fishing, canoeing and diving. The Cascate delle Ferce form a natural waterfall landscape on the Topino River. It was created by a fault approximately 80 metres high and a series of steps.

Another special stop is the Giardino dei colori aromatici. The multisensory garden is also accessible to people with disabilities and features quiet areas at the viewpoint, a fountain, flowerbeds and sensory areas. When planning your accommodation and days in Nocera Umbra, this allows you to combine cultural attractions, hiking trails and nature experiences according to your preferred travel rhythm.

Further destinations for your trip planning: Badiola, San Savino, San Leo Bastia, Montefalco, Monte Vibiano Vecchio, Poreta, Grotti, Passaggio Di Assisi.

To the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.