(map) 
If you happen to be in Umbria between the end of May and into July, head for the hills (or the Monte Sibillini National Park). There, in the highlands, you will find the hilltop village of Castelluccio di Norcia perched above rolling pastures covered with masses of wildflowers (and lentil flowers) in a riot of colors ranging from yellow to red, blue to purple.
The present is a good time to go, but the moment of flowering varies from year to year, depending on the weather. Lenticchie (lentils, pronounced “len-tee-kyay”) are grown here, and are considered to be the best in Italy; the flowers are pale blue.
As for the wildflowers, one can see buttercups, wild thyme, blue gentians, wild pansies, yellow and white daisies, poppies, narcissi, violets, thistles and clover, to name a few. Take a picnic lunch (or enjoy wild mushrooms at the mountain chalet restaurant nearby). The amiable shepherd is a mine of information and happily chats with Italian speakers who stop to admire his sheep; they contribute to the production of the delicious cheeses sold in the area.
In the plain below, Norcia is worth a stop. It is a favorite of hikers but you can also shop there for local cheeses, lentils, truffles, salumi (cured meats) and hams made from wild boar and pork. Don’t miss the chocolate factory (their speciality: truffle flavored chocolates….)
– Contributed by Patricia Glee Smith (see bio), accomplished artist and very involved archaeology aficionado based in Otricoli, Umbria. Click here to view her artwork.
Beautiful! Thanks for the posting and the pictures. I had no idea that lentils produced such beautiful flowers. I’d love to know what dishes Italians cook with lentils.
Beautiful!!
Pat, As I read I was enticed to book the next flight over! Maybe we could make a plan for next May or June?
i love your communiques
Thanks for this beautiful note. It’s a place where time seems to stand still.
grazie mille ! sono contenta di aver potuto accompagnarti in questo posto magico !
Great photos and story, Patricia.
We’ve visited this spot several times, never at the right time of year. But I do recognize North America, on your last photo near the top left of the page.We wrote about it last year, not realizing we had just missed the flowers! Abbraccione, Evanne http://www.italiannotebook.com/places/castelluccio-worldmap/
surely God’s hand painted the last scene….
A truly ravishing set of photos, especially the last and an equally engaging note. Thank you. Penny
Thanks for the note on Castelluccio di Norcia, one of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth.
Congratulations on such beautiful pictures,Patricia.
These are for sure God’s handiwork.
It is because of you we are able to see such beauty.
Thanks so much.
Ciao,
Claudia
I, like Rae, did not know about lentil plants or their lovely flowers. Very interesting and informative piece. If anyone out there has some good lentil recipes, I’d be happy and pleased to receive them. Grazie tanti!!!
Beautiful photos and countryside. We just got back from a trip to Italy, Umbria was part of the tour. It truly is a beautiful region. Thank you for this post.
Thanks for the reminder about this truly magical area. We visited twice when we lived in Perugia and wrote about it on our blog but never did get to see it in full bloom. Your photos are beautiful and your note so informative!