Breathtaking fields made up of bands of rich yellow, red, and blue blooms, swathed in early morning fog or golden light in the last rays of the day or sharp in colour under clear skies, snowy peaks in the background, winding little roads snaking past, the odd building in the distance or hilltop village perched overhead, a herd of sheep grazing nearby. This is the picture that one comes across should they venture to the area around Castelluccio di Norcia while on vacation in Umbria during the late spring and summer. Called the fiorita, or flowering, this magical annual phenomenon is truly extraordinary and quite the sight to behold. Those who love blossoms and who want to take in the incredible natural bounty and spectacularly vivid colours of this time of year should definitely plan a spring getaway in Italy and head to see this wonderful spectacle for themselves while exploring Umbria...
Located at an altitude of 1452 meters, on the top of a hill at the core of a large plateau, Castelluccio di Norcia is positioned in the heart of Valnerina, in the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini (Sibillini Mountains National Park) in the Apennines. The fields outside the little village of Castelluccio in this plateau are blanketed each year between May and July by thousands of blooms that spring up and transform this normal and rather sleepy and agricultural region into something truly astounding. Divided into three plains, the Pian Grande, Pian Piccolo, and Pian Perduto, the normally unbroken and already lovely lush greenery of the area temporarily becomes a rainbow of brilliant hues as lentils (for which the region is famous), poppies, violets, narcissus, daisies, clovers, orchids, cornflowers and other wildflowers that grow among the lentil crops due to the lack of pesticides pop up across these plains for a couple of months each year.
One might wonder, then, when best to visit if they are thinking about finding a villa in Umbria and want to see the spectacle for themselves but there is actually no real easy answer in that regard. Depending on the winter that has come before the spring, how much rain there is in the weeks in advance of the blooming, what the temperatures are, and many other factors, the blooming can arrive a little earlier or later, last a little longer or a little less time, reach its height at different points, include a smaller or larger number of species, and achieve greater or lesser vibrancy in its hues. You might also get incredibly lucky and see the most beautiful possible iteration or less spectacular versions, depending on the year that you visit and the simple luck of the draw – it’s all down to Mother Nature! However, one can be fairly certain that they will be able to admire this majestic natural phenomenon to some degree or another for themselves if they plan their vacation in Umbria for some time in late May, June, or early July. The main official celebration of the fiorita, the Feast of the Fiorita, meanwhile, takes place on the third and the last Sunday of June. Involving food, music, excitement, and celebrations, it is just like any festival in Italy with the added bonus of the stunning shades of the blooms.
So, get planning your holiday in Umbria today and come and experience the impossible beauty of this stunning part of the world while in vibrant bloom. Though less widely known than other natural gems in the country, this is surely one of the most spectacular and is a true must-see on your next getaway in Italy!
