New Norcia, Western Australia
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New Norcia is a town in Western Australia, approximately 130 km (80 miles) from Perth, around one hours drive north along the Great Northern Highway. Situated in the shire of Victoria Plains, New Norcia was established by Spanish Benedictine monks and is the only monastic town in Australia. It is named after Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict.
It has quite a large amount of tourism, focussed mainly on its Spanish architecture, and many historical sites. Among these sites are the two old boarding schools - St Ildephonsus' and St Gertrude's (now used for accommodation), a small church containing the tomb of Bishop Salvado (the monastery's founder), an old mill and wine press, the hotel, and of course the monastery itself. Tours of the town operate daily and encompas all of the historic sites. Recently the monastary chapel has been included in the town tour.
There is also a museum and gallery containing works by many famous Western Australian and Australian artists, and museum displays explaining the history of the area. The gallery is most noted for housing a painting by Raphael.
New Norcia is famous in Western Australia for its bread, cakes and biscotti, baked every morning in its small bakery. The abbey also operates a bakery in Perth, supplying several restraunts and private customers with bread.
External links
- New Norcia, Australia's only monastic town (http://www.newnorcia.wa.edu.au)