Castelluccio di Norcia is a hamlet of Norcia, a city in the heart of Umbria and Le Marche Appennines and within the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains. Located at the top a small hill at about 1452 metres above sea level, it dominates one of the largest high plains in central Italy, under the slopes of Vettore Mount.
The flowering
The history of Castelluccio and its development are related to farming but what made this small village famous over time is the phenomenon of flowering. Every year for several weeks between the months of May and July, the green pastures are coloured because of the flowering: lentils, gentians, poppies, daffodils, violets, asphodels, clovers, wood sorrels and many others.
What is the best time to see this wonderful show?
Actually, there's no answer to this question ;) There is not an exact period with a peak of flowering. Being a natural event it all depends on rains, sun exposure, sowing and the different times that each flower has to blossom. It is generally hard to see all the flower species at the same time, ideally you should come back every now and then to see the changing colours. And as you walk through the fields, you might even encounter roe deers or other wildlife.
On the official website of Castelluccio di Norcia you can see updates on the status of the flowering, as well as photo galleries from previous years: http://www.castellucciodinorcia.it/flowering-of-castelluccio-di-norcia-la-fiorita/?lang=en
The lentil
It's the true symbol of this town and is particularly appreciated, controlled and protected in Italy because only limited quantities are produced.
The lentil is an annual plant sown as soon as the snow cover is completely dissolved and it blooms between May and August.
An important feature of the Castelluccio lentil is the thin, tender skin that allows cooking without soaking, thus greatly reducing the preparation time.
Moreover, as it grows in the mountains where night frosts are frequent, it does not suffer attacks from insects and therefore does not need to be treated.
Sports and leisure activities
Due to its location and beautiful landscape, Castelluccio is the ideal destination for those who love trekking, climbing, horseback riding and cycling. The mountain bike is definitely the best way to visit the area, from simple trails on the plains, to steep and technical trails in the valleys and mountains. For a unique experience, I suggest you go trekking with mules and donkeys for the little ones, in the magical atmosphere of the paths of the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains.
