Umbria celebrates the flower and Italy’s rebirth
They say where flowers bloom, so does hope.
Perhaps it is this simple message of spring and reawakening after a long period of uncertainty that inspired Milan-based architect Stefano Boeri, who designed the vaccination pavilions in Italy, to choose the symbol of the flower to promote the campaign. With the arrival and ultimate rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, the tagline “L’Italia rinasce con un fiore” (Italy comes back to life with a flower) signals a true rebirth.
The infallible re-emergence of nature and the new season, symbolized by the beauty of a flower, inspired the editorial theme for the travel section in the spring issue of Panoram Italia too. As a travel editor, it has been a tenuous venture covering the topic at all after a year of treading carefully as far as covering travel in a world that quite rightly discourages it. Ultimately though, it has become even more important to encourage readers to armchair-travel and visit beautiful places while making plans to visit our beloved Italy in a future when it is safe to do so. Thanks to the rollout of the vaccine in 2021, that prospect will become an eventual possibility.
In the meantime, as we wait with bated breath for the world to reopen and plan a real vacation, a trip to the green heart of Italy—otherwise known as Umbria—will certainly reawaken the senses and personify this message of hope in nature. Beyond the mysticism of San Francesco d’Assisi, medieval hilltop towns and the renowned Umbria Jazz Festival, this is the land where nature reigns supreme…and fortunately, not even COVID’s force is able to combat the might of Mother Nature.
So, let’s dive into the potent power of the flower that pervades the Umbrian experience..so much so, I am dividing the floral coverage of this region into two blog posts. In part one, we are exploring the outstanding beauty of the flowering blooms of Castelluccio di Norcia. Part two, we will travel to the enchanting town of Spello where fragrant floral mosaics carpet the streets—it’s like a little taste of heaven. With Spring at our doorstep and the winter layers start peeling off, let’s remember the auspicious message tied to nature and the change of season; although flowers grow out of dark moments, the time to witness their miraculous blossoming brilliance is imminent. May their beauty fill you with joy and hope for a time to frolic amongst them under the splendid Italian sun.
Flower Power
Nowhere is nature’s big show of les belles fleurs more evident than in Castelluccio di Norcia between late May and early July every year. Located in the province of Perugia in the Apennine mountains, about 1,452 metres above sea level in the heart of Valnerina, Mount Sibillini National Park is the backdrop where three monochromatic plains—Pian Grande, Piccolo and Perduto—transform into an ever-changing mosaic of colourful blooms.
Known as La Fioritura (or Fiorita), the yearly event overtakes the three plateaus with thousands of flowers bursting with vibrant colours like bright yellow, ochre, red, violet and blue. At the base of this spectacular blossoming is the lentil plant.
“The flowering of Castelluccio is a spontaneous and natural event that happens every year, thanks to the sowing of the precious lentil at an altitude of 1,500 meters in an IGP area (protected geographical indication),” says Nicola Alemanno, mayor of Norcia. “The climate plays a fundamental part in the creation of the colour palette that characterizes the Piani di Castelluccio between the end of spring and the beginning of summer.” This polychromatic explosion completely transforms the regularly monochromatic plains during this six-week stint. The view changes depending on the time of blossoming of each flora with no particular climax to the ever-changing spectacle of colour. “The only flower that is planted is the lentil seed, the rest is spontaneous, natural art,” assures Alemanno.
Nature Knows Best
The prized Castelluccio lentils are known for their delicate earthy nutty flavour, thin skin and supple texture. This Umbrian culinary pièce de resistance flourishes in good company.
Alongside the flowering lentils, you can see expanses of poppies, buttercups, daffodils, violets, cornflowers, mountain tulips and wild orchids, among many other varieties. It is quite rare to see the cornflower bloom as it is considered a weed and is usually eradicated from the crops. However, not in Castelluccio.
“The lentil of Castelluccio is an organic product (BIO) and the fields are cultivated in a natural way without the use of pesticides, so plants called ‘weeds’ grow in the cultivated fields. However, they do not affect the quality of the final product, which is the Castelluccio IGP lentil, harvested in late July, early August,” says Alemanno.
With weeds left to flourish among the flowers, the adage “the weed is nothing but an unloved flower,” rings true as you take in the magnificent views of La Fioritura.
There are different ways to visit the colourful blooms besides hiking. To fully explore the expansive 15-kilometre kaleidoscope of pretty petals, you can rent a mountain bike in Castelluccio or really get in touch with nature and explore the surroundings on a donkey. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Umbria is a region that attracts fitness buffs, and Castelluccio in particular has become the homeland of outdoor sports including activities such as paragliding, horseback riding, and archery. For more information, go to castellucciodinorcia.it
Next week, we will continue the flower fest in Umbria as we visit the splendid town of Spello…stay tuned!
