Castelluccio di Norcia: Umbria’s High-Altitude Canvas of Color
Each summer, this tiny mountain village bursts into a rainbow of wildflowers and lentil blooms, turning the Umbrian plains into a living painting.
UMBRIA
Region: Umbria
Province / Nearest City: Perugia / Norcia
Attraction Name: Castelluccio di Norcia – Umbria's Painted Plains
Address: Piazza della Chiesa, Castelluccio di Norcia, 06046 (PG)
Distance from Major City: Around 150 km from Rome (2 hours 40 minutes by car)
How to Get There:
By car: From Rome take the A1 to Orte and the E45 to Norcia. From Norcia take the SP477 up to Castelluccio.
By public transport: From Rome or Perugia, take a train or bus to Spoleto or Norcia, then a local bus or taxi to Castelluccio (note: services are limited, especially in winter).
What Makes It Stand Out in the World:
Situated on 1,452 metres above sea level in the very centre of the National Park of the Monti Sibillini, Castelluccio di Norcia is renowned for the stunning Pian Grande, a wide plateau which erupts into a multicoloured mosaic every summer with the blooming of the lentil fields. From the end of May to July, the poppies, the cornflowers, the daisies, and the innumerable flowers of the countryside are intertwined with the delicate green of the lentil seeds, producing a natural painting seen even from the summits surrounding the area. The mountain air, the landscape over seemingly infinite fields, and the feeling of hanging suspended between the earth and the sky are the ingredients of one of the most enchanting places in Italy.
Local Story / Fun Fact:
The Festa della Fiorita in late June is the year's highlight. As well as a spectacle of things to see, it is a local festival with music, stalls by local artisans, and lenticchie di Castelluccio tastings. As the festival follows the natural rhythm of the flowering, the date of the year changes with the bloom.
Best Time to Visit:
Late June to early July for the full flowering season and the Festa della Fiorita. Autumn offers equally beautiful vistas with golden fields and fewer tourists, and in winter the plateau becomes a white wonderland.
Nearby Food & Stay:
Try the lenticchie di Castelluccio in simple soups or as a side to sausages at Taverna Castelluccio or Rifugio degli Alpini. For accommodation, there are agriturismi in the village and nearby Norcia, such as Agriturismo Antica Cascina Brandimarte, which offers panoramic views and local cuisine.