Narni sotterranea
Underground complex beneath the former convent of San Domenico in Narni, discovered in 1979, with a 13th-century church, a Roman cistern and the Inquisition cell.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Narni Sotterranea is a complex of underground rooms beneath the former convent of San Domenico in the historic centre of Narni. It was discovered in 1979 by six young cavers from the UTEC group. The convent, originally that of Santa Maria Maggiore, was built by the Dominicans in the 14th century.
The guided visit begins with an immersive video about the discovery and continues into a 13th-century church with some of the city’s oldest frescoes. Beneath the glass floor, recent archaeological finds are visible, with a virtual reconstruction of the phases of the place of worship dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Next comes a room with a Roman cistern, probably the remains of a domus, and a special effect that virtually takes visitors into the Roman aqueduct tunnel of the Formina.
A long corridor leads to the large hall where the Inquisition tribunal held its interrogations, known as the Stanza dei Tormenti (Room of Torments) in the documents of the Vatican Archives and of Trinity College Dublin. A small adjoining cell preserves graffiti left by the accused, including a coded message with alchemical and masonic symbols. Excavations have also uncovered a 12th-century crypt and the apse of the old church of Santa Maria Maggiore, formerly a Byzantine cathedral, with a fragment of a 6th-century polychrome mosaic floor.
Highlights
- 13th-century church with some of Narni’s oldest frescoes
- Roman cistern and virtual reconstruction of the Formina tunnel
- Stanza dei Tormenti and Inquisition cell with graffiti
- 12th-century crypt and 6th-century polychrome mosaic
- Immersive video on the 1979 discovery
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso guidato nei sotterranei di San Domenico – From the 13th-century church to the Inquisition cell, with a Roman cistern, a crypt and a Byzantine mosaic.
- Operated by
- Associazione Culturale Subterranea
- Visitors per year
- approx. 18,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Groups (21+ people) | €7 per personGroups of more than 20 people. |
| Primary schools (groups) | €5 |
| Lower secondary schools (groups) | €5 |
| Upper secondary schools (groups) | €6 |
The ticket is valid for one year and gives discounts at NarniAdventures, partner restaurants in Narni and some other underground sites and attractions in Italy. English-language visits on Fridays (June–September) by reservation: €12 adults, €8 reduced.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
By reservation, the premises are accessible to wheelchair users, blind and deaf visitors; it is advisable to call in advance. The spaces are wide and also suitable for people who suffer from claustrophobia.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The site offers an educational programme for schools.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum’s page refers to the timetables of Trenitalia and the FS Busitalia urban buses.
By car
Parking available · 10-min walk to the entrance
The “Parcheggio centro storico” (known as the Suffragio car park) is recommended: lifts or stairs lead from it to Via Garibaldi and Piazza dei Priori; alternatively Via Cappuccini Nuovi near the hospital. The historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL).
The entrance is in the public gardens of San Bernardo, behind the former church of San Domenico, next to the Casa del Popolo. Set the sat nav to “Narni, Via Roma”. From Perugia, Terni or Orte, enter via Porta Ternana (Via Roma); from the A1 motorway take the Orte exit.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, FR, DE) |
| Good to know | The visit is always guided and lasts 75–90 minutes. Audio guides can be downloaded via QR code in English, French and German (earphones recommended); texts are available in other languages, including Dutch, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Hebrew, Hungarian, Chinese and Lithuanian. For groups of at least 20 people, visits in English and Spanish are possible. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early. The temperature underground is about 15–18 °C in winter and 20–25 °C in summer. |
