Every year, Castelluccio di Norcia, in the province of Perugia, turns into a spectacular palette of colors thanks to the lentil bloom. This a natural event known as “La Fiorita”attracts thousands of visitors not only from Italy, but from all over the world.
The bloom in 2024 promises to be just as fascinating. Here are the details when and how to admire this incredible natural sight.
Best time to see blooms
It Cultivation of lentils in this area has ancient rootsand, due to the climatic conditions and the karst-alluvial terrain Piana di Castelluccio, located at approximately 1,350 meters above sea level, in the Sibilini Mountains National Park. This soil is particularly suitable for growing lentils, which are small, tasty, easy to cook and maintain.
It blooming lentils in Castelluccio di Norcia takes place from the end of May to the middle of July. However, there is no exact date of maximum flowering, as everything depends on the climate.
In general, the best time to admire La Fiorita is from mid-June to early July, when the fields turn into a mosaic of colors, from yellow to ochre, green and purple.
To fully enjoy the show, it is recommended to avoid visiting Castelluccio di Norcia on weekends, as the attendance is very high. Visiting on weekdays allows you to admire the fields in peace and without the crowds.
Take advantage of the shuttle service
To facilitate access to blooming fields and reduce environmental impact, Parking is available on both the Umbrian and Marche sides. shuttle services available to reach major bloom spots.
It is preferable to avoid driving to the city center for parking.
Flowering map
View the bloom map, available on the official Norcia Pro Loco websiteit can be useful to identify the best places to photograph and to avoid trespassing on cultivated fields.
The map also shows parking locations and shuttle stops.
READ ALSO: The most beautiful flowers (not just tulips) to admire in Italy in 2024
Useful tips for visitor
When you visit Castelluccio di Norcia in bloom, To save the environment, it is important to follow some rules:
- Do not cross the developed fields.
- Please use designated parking spaces.
- Follow the shuttle directions to avoid traffic and inconvenience.
Real time web cam
For those who can’t go to Castelluccio di Norcia, it is It is possible to admire the bloom in real time via a webcam available at castellucciodinorcia.it. This resource allows you to follow the evolution of flowering from anywhere in the world.
The holiday of melting
In addition to the famous bloom, The area also celebrates this legume through various festivals and events: Lentil harvest festival it is one of the most famous folklore festivals of Castelluccio di Norcia. This event involves the use of an old, fully functional thresher on the Pian Grande farm, where an elderly farmer sounds the alarm to start the threshing process.
This traditional ritual, which continues until three blasts of the horn signal the end of the activity, allows participants to closely observe the traditional methods of threshing lentils.
During the break, participants enjoy local dishes prepared by the villagers, accompanied by village drinks, accordion music and traditional dances. This festival takes place in August and celebrates local agricultural traditions and the community of Castelluccio.
