Aug 28·edited Aug 28Liked by Sarah Bringhurst Familia
Great piece Sarah. You managed to capture the essence of Narni and exactly how I feel about this little town. It captures both my heart and imagination. Almost twenty years since I moved here and I still get that sense of wonder as I walk around. ❤️
That’s so kind of you to say. I don’t feel like I know Narni nearly as well as I would like to yet, but I’m glad my take as someone newly in love with it resonates for a long-time resident.
It IS Narnia! This is the place that gave C.S. Lewis his inspiration. He got the name out of a Latin atlas, so it's spelled the Latin way, Narnia. And really, it is every bit as magical as the storybook version.
What a beautiful place. We hope to visit Italy in 2026 and want to avoid the “must sees” and just wander. It’s what I love most about travelling. Who knows, maybe I’ll find your bookshop!
So many stories to share of my own on this matter. Someday soon! I get so sad when friends ask me for ideas when visiting Italy. I excitedly share similar things, but very soon they glaze over with disinterest as they share they don’t care to deviate away from an itinerary. Thank you for sharing more about how special the real Italy truly is.
How magical, and your photographs are so well-composed! The little streets, the very human scale, the steep paths and tunnels remind me of my favorite city in Mexico, Guanajuato. Subscribing to follow your bookstore-building and wishing you success!
Narni looks so adorable! I am thinking of visiting Umbria soon, now I have one more spot to visit. I hope your bookshop will be open by then. Best of luck with your project!
Sounds wonderful Sarah, def want to visit when you are set up and running. I totally get wanting to keep it a best kept secret, just for us hehe! Out in the villages is def the place to be. Last year I ran a writers retreat in Mercatello Sul Metauro near Urbino, not a tourist in sight (only us doh!). Next May, I’m leading a retreat for artists and writers on Ischia, the island off Napoli. Hopefully will find time before or after to visit Narni!
Honestly hope to come visit you when you open! Passed by Narni several times and never really stopped. I absolutely want to go to the Palio dell’Anello once in my life.
How gorgeous. I went to Italy in April for the first time - it’s a magical place. I felt a sense of wanting to live there and simultaneously feeling protective of the way of life there, in a way that made me feel like if I were to move there someday, I’d only do it if I was contributing meaningfully in some way.
I feel exactly the same way! I even have a little fantasy of asking the woman at the end of the street who I see watering all her beautiful plants for advice on what to plant so I can make my little corner of the street beautiful too.
It has a way of making you want to preserve it, doesn’t it? It’s exciting you’re living your dream in such an amazing place! Looking forward to reading more about your journey.
Aug 29·edited Aug 29Liked by Sarah Bringhurst Familia
This place looks so nice and I love the bookshop idea! I can also tell this is the kind of place where you will not find a store that would sell you a pack of chips past 8pm, and that your internet won't be fixed within the day.
Yes indeed! It is exactly that kind of place. And so far I have succeeded in connecting electricity for our house. I am really hopeful that water, gas and even internet might happen sometime soon, especially now that August is drawing to a close.
Sounds interesting! I love that Narni has a (tiny) branch of University of Perugia. I think it’s just one very particular degree that they offer, but it’s enough to give that side of town a fun student vibe.
I am so glad I found your page and am so excited for your adventure! We spent several nights in Narni in June during my first trip to Italy. I fell in love with the town even before visiting. I fell in love with Narni after exploring it with google maps and daydreamed about moving there for the past year before actually going. It was even better in person! I hope one day it will be my home too! And obviously I would visit your bookshop :)
It does sound magical. Will the bookshop be open in October? My husband and I will run in the Rome Half Marathon on 20th October 2024 and it sounds like it’s worth a trip to that charming town for books and a peek!
Great piece Sarah. You managed to capture the essence of Narni and exactly how I feel about this little town. It captures both my heart and imagination. Almost twenty years since I moved here and I still get that sense of wonder as I walk around. ❤️
That’s so kind of you to say. I don’t feel like I know Narni nearly as well as I would like to yet, but I’m glad my take as someone newly in love with it resonates for a long-time resident.
Am I the only one who kept wanting to add and A, and call this magical place, Narnia?
It IS Narnia! This is the place that gave C.S. Lewis his inspiration. He got the name out of a Latin atlas, so it's spelled the Latin way, Narnia. And really, it is every bit as magical as the storybook version.
Well, old CS seems to have chosen well!
What a beautiful place. We hope to visit Italy in 2026 and want to avoid the “must sees” and just wander. It’s what I love most about travelling. Who knows, maybe I’ll find your bookshop!
Wandering is definitely the way to go! Enjoy planning your trip. Italy has so much to offer.
So many stories to share of my own on this matter. Someday soon! I get so sad when friends ask me for ideas when visiting Italy. I excitedly share similar things, but very soon they glaze over with disinterest as they share they don’t care to deviate away from an itinerary. Thank you for sharing more about how special the real Italy truly is.
How magical, and your photographs are so well-composed! The little streets, the very human scale, the steep paths and tunnels remind me of my favorite city in Mexico, Guanajuato. Subscribing to follow your bookstore-building and wishing you success!
You’re so kind. I feel like anywhere I point a camera in Narni becomes a poem. And I love finding cities across the world that rhyme with one another.
Narni looks so adorable! I am thinking of visiting Umbria soon, now I have one more spot to visit. I hope your bookshop will be open by then. Best of luck with your project!
Thank you so much!
Sounds wonderful Sarah, def want to visit when you are set up and running. I totally get wanting to keep it a best kept secret, just for us hehe! Out in the villages is def the place to be. Last year I ran a writers retreat in Mercatello Sul Metauro near Urbino, not a tourist in sight (only us doh!). Next May, I’m leading a retreat for artists and writers on Ischia, the island off Napoli. Hopefully will find time before or after to visit Narni!
Both those places sound like dreamy locations for writing retreats. Italy is so full of inspiring places.
Honestly hope to come visit you when you open! Passed by Narni several times and never really stopped. I absolutely want to go to the Palio dell’Anello once in my life.
Oh yes, Narni is definitely worth a visit. I haven't been to the Corsa all'Anello yet either. Next year!
How gorgeous. I went to Italy in April for the first time - it’s a magical place. I felt a sense of wanting to live there and simultaneously feeling protective of the way of life there, in a way that made me feel like if I were to move there someday, I’d only do it if I was contributing meaningfully in some way.
Thanks for sharing!
I feel exactly the same way! I even have a little fantasy of asking the woman at the end of the street who I see watering all her beautiful plants for advice on what to plant so I can make my little corner of the street beautiful too.
It has a way of making you want to preserve it, doesn’t it? It’s exciting you’re living your dream in such an amazing place! Looking forward to reading more about your journey.
This place looks so nice and I love the bookshop idea! I can also tell this is the kind of place where you will not find a store that would sell you a pack of chips past 8pm, and that your internet won't be fixed within the day.
Yes indeed! It is exactly that kind of place. And so far I have succeeded in connecting electricity for our house. I am really hopeful that water, gas and even internet might happen sometime soon, especially now that August is drawing to a close.
Fingers crossed :) surely you will keep us updated (also, more pics of cats)
Thanks, Sarah! I missed a conference in Narni last year, which I am now really regretting!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Oh, too bad! Which conference was it? I’m always curious about events happening in Narni.
https://www.aisna.net/. The conference may have been two years ago. Time slides away!!!
Sounds interesting! I love that Narni has a (tiny) branch of University of Perugia. I think it’s just one very particular degree that they offer, but it’s enough to give that side of town a fun student vibe.
As soon as you open, I'll come and visit with my bookshop-obsessed best friends! And Narni looks magical and well worth a visit.
What a lovely vote of support. Thank you!
I am so glad I found your page and am so excited for your adventure! We spent several nights in Narni in June during my first trip to Italy. I fell in love with the town even before visiting. I fell in love with Narni after exploring it with google maps and daydreamed about moving there for the past year before actually going. It was even better in person! I hope one day it will be my home too! And obviously I would visit your bookshop :)
Oh, how lovely to meet someone else who’s a Narnian in her heart. “Once a king or queen in Narnia . . . “
It does sound magical. Will the bookshop be open in October? My husband and I will run in the Rome Half Marathon on 20th October 2024 and it sounds like it’s worth a trip to that charming town for books and a peek!
I love that you’ll be running together! The bookshop won’t be open yet in October, but Narni is still absolutely worth a visit.
These pictures are TikTok worthy for sure...uh oh :)
Oh no! 🤓 haha, thank you!!! 🙏
The more you write about it the more I want to move there!
Haha, don’t worry, I have the same feeling and love for a tiny, magical place in Portugal 🇵🇹❤️
Isn’t it funny how one town out of the whole world can utterly capture your heart?
Totally 💯