Mount Sibillini National Park

The Monti Sibillini National Park, located in the province of Umbria, central Italy, was established in 1993 and is Umbria’s only National park. Only a small part of it straddles the eastern border with the Marche region. It stretches over 70,000 Ha of land and was set up to preserve and protect this natural and culture area of immense diversity and interest.

It provides a home to wolves, golden eagles and peregrine falcons and a rich and varied plant life. The mountain chain of Mount Sibillini reaches its peak at Mount Vettore, 2,476 metres in the heart of the Marche region. The Park is divided into 4 main sections: the Historical Slope, the Magical Slope, the Sacred Slope and the Flowering slope, which includes Ragnolo Meadows in the northern region.

The Flowering Slope features a luxurious sloping landscape, full of blooming flowers and scented fields. Here the wild orchids, lilies and daffodils grow in abundance. The Aquasanta waterfalls, the Caves of the Bear (Le Grotte dell’Orso) and the Caves of the Monks (Le Grotte dei Frati) further enhance this gorgeous scenery.

The Magical Slope is an area of mystery and intrigue, teeming with tales of necromancers, fairies and demons. The Gola dell’Infernaccio, one of the most beautiful limestone gorges in the Monti Sibillini Park, is an area where memories of ancient wizard rituals lie. You can also witness examples of erosion activity of the river Tona through the rugged limestone landscape. Lake Pilate is another location steeped in legend; a demonic lake where a Roman procurator was dragged into the waters by a herd of buffalo and drowned.

Lying at the heart of the Sacred Slope of the Park is Norcia, home of the town’s patron saint, Saint Benedict. Norcia is a peaceful, quaint town with the majority of its 14th century city wall intact. Norcia houses an informative local museum and plenty of Romanesque churches. The town is also renowned for its spicy wild boar sausages. The nearby village of Preci is a beautifully remote, hill-top location, high in the mountains of the park.

The Historical Slope is an area that has been fought over for centuries and indeed the area bears the signs of constant protection and defence: rich in castles, watch towers, fortifications and walled hill top-villages. Castelvecchio and Castellucio are wondrous places to visit, especially in the early morning when the mists are still rising.

The area encompassing the park has historically lent itself to those seeking religious solitude and tranquility. It is not surprising then that you will find many old religious buildings, monasteries, hermitages and churches where people have come in search of isolation and contemplation.

Mount Sibillini National Park is the perfect place for lovers of the great outdoors. It is an area brimming with tales and history, full of activities but also tranquil enough for you to rediscover yourself. You can hike through its flower-filled meadows; climb its mountains or paddle in its foaming white water rapids.