New Norcia

23 December 2010

New Norcia looks like a town that has been picked up from somewhere in the Mediterranean and dropped just north of Perth
Travel time from Perth: New Norcia is just 2 hours from Perth.
Directions: Take the Great Eastern Hwy to West Swan Rd then the Great North Hwy to New Norcia.

New Norcia looks like a town that has been picked up from somewhere in the Mediterranean and dropped just north of Perth. Full of beautiful Spanish style architecture, New Norcia is very different from the rest of the towns in the area as it is Australia’s only monastic town.

 

Established in 1847 by a Benedictine monk, New Norcia is a peaceful and quiet community surrounded by unique architecture, amazing chapels and the Moore River.

 

Get up close to some of the 65 buildings in the town (of which 25 are heritage listed) and see behind closed doors of the monastery and see the frescoed interiors of both St Ildephonsus’ and St Gertrude’s Colleges. There are also two heritage trails to explore New Norcia with.

 

You can join in with the monks in their daily prayers and even meet a monk in the monastery parlour to hear about the life of a monk and ask questions to learn more. Visit the Museum and Art Gallery (which also doubles as the tourist information centre) and learn more about the history of the monastery with medical, agriculture and artifact displays and view the collection of European and modern Australian religious art – including the fascinating story of the theft of some of their art works. There are paintings by Spanish and Italian masters, gifts from the Queen of Spain.

 

New Norcia and its grand architecture is an unexpected surprise in the middle of bush and farms, making it a great place to visit when you’re looking for a short break from the city.

By Sarah Tierney
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