Black Truffles Resurrect Norcia

Heavily damaged in the October 2016 earthquake, Norcia’s “resurrection” just might have started:  the early March street fair, Nero Norcia (“Black Norcia”), starring black truffles – and not only! – animated the town, drew in the people.

This mostra mercato (almost quite literally, a “show-and-sell”) drew people from all over Italy……

….so important for Norcia,  struggling to return to life and eagerly welcoming visitors.

The medieval walls surrounding this mountain medieval gem are well-braced…

….as are all wounded buildings of the centro storico.   

And to launch this food fair, visitors were allowed to walk the floor of the Basilica di San Benedetto where only the facade survived the 2016 shake-up.

At Nero Norcia, black truffles took center stage…..

….but the even more prestigious white ones enticed visitors, too:

And at most stands at Nero Norcia, visitors were offered tastes of the goodness:

Here in Norcia, norcineria (prosciutto, salami, capocollo and other pork products) couldn’t be missing, logicamente:

And Norcia is noted, too, for cheeses, especially pecorino (of sheep’s milk):

There were pecorino cheeses aged in limestone caves, others aged in walnut leaves, some aged in hay, and a delicately-delicious one aged in grape skins:

Music animated some stands

.and mimes performed for children

But, naturalmente,  the prime entertainment was….food (this is Italy!).  Pino tried the salamis and cheeses at various stands…

..and I succumbed to Sicily goodness (ah, those arancine!):

A tasty conclusion to a tasty Norcia visit.  And best of all? Sharing in the festivities of a medieval mountain town forging ahead towards resurrection.

Viva Norcia!

Read about another favorite mostra mercato (“show-and-sell” event)

Read here about  Assisi’s solidarity with Norcia for  the Feast of St Benedict

Read about a favorite spot to eat black truffles in Norcia

Click here to read about – and see! – Norcia goodness, post-quake

Click here to read about a norcineriahttp://www.annesitaly.com/blog/norcia-may-each-norcinerialive-on/