It is the capital of the province, and was founded with the same name in 1 BC by Lucio Cornelio Balbo. Its name was Norba Caesarina, although remains of human presence date back to prehistory in the Maltravieso cave. The actual golden age of the city wasn't until the XV and XVI centuries.

It was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1986, as it is home to one of the most significant medieval and renaissance heritages in the world.