For part 3 of my Italy Less Trodden occasional series, we’re off to Umbria. More precisely, to Casteluccio in the Valnerina. When I said I wanted to be based in the area known as the Valnerina, the nice lady at the travel company I used couldn’t understand why I wasn’t more keen to visit the main towns…it is a bit of a forgotten corner of Umbria, with mountains and wooded valleys, poor road connections, and large stretches of, well, nothing…
Castelluccio is a very curious, remote little place…..1452m up in the Apennine Mountains, barely more than a hamlet, situated in the vast and strange expanse of the Piano Grande. It sits alone in the middle of the plain, with no other habitation for miles.
The small village square is flanked by grey buildings covered in white graffiti. Wandering around, there was hardly anyone to be seen. The fields on the slopes around the village are cultivated for growing lentils – the lentils from here are renowned. I posted a couple of images of these fields in an earlier post, but will post again for completeness.
This perception of the place is mine, from a few years ago, but from comments I have stumbled across, I don’t believe much has changed. One day, perhaps I’ll return.
I have been meaning to post this for ages, but somehow it has been overlooked….until I saw that Cee’s fun photo challenge had the subject of ‘Alone’ for this week. Perfect, I thought….
Very interesting post Sue. We spent a couple of weeks near Bevagna travelling around the usual Umbrian towns but never got as far east as Casteluccio although we did get to Norcia. If you take a look on Google Earth, one half of the graffiti is still there (or was in 2009 which I think is the year the Google images were taken).
Thanks, Robin, it’s a fascinating region. And we were there in 2009, so who knows whether there has been much change. đ
looks not only untrodden but beautiful.
Beautiful in a wild sort of way. Or do I mean untamed – which probably comes from being off the main tourist track….
Aw, so nice and green…. đ
Isn’t it just?
What a wonderful glimpse of a part of Italy I didn’t know existed. thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it! đ
When I saw the first few images Italy didn’t automatically come to mind – more like Austria or Slovenia. But the buildings look Italian in that shabby, decaying way which many Italian villages and towns have. I wish I’d spent more time in Italy, I really like the country.
Maybe one day? đ
Most definitely – not sure I have the confidence to drive over there though, which limits where I go.
Ah, yes. Some of my favourite places in Italy do require you to use a car….
Remote and certainly very beautiful. Good choice of subject for the challenge.
Thanks!
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Funny old place to find graffiti! It’s all very pleasing to the eye.
I had no idea how lentils grew, but I like them. I could see me living there đ
Certainly is most bizarre… Apparently the graffiti is messages between the villagers, or so I understood from someone. You would really want to live in such a remote place??? đ
Would I have an internet connection? đ
Beyond that I probably wouldn’t mind, Sue. I’m quite good at being my own company.
I think the Internet connection might be dubious! Like you, I’m good at being my own company for a time, but I do need to know that I am seeing people regularly in between the times alone!
Looks amazing Sue!! Even the graffitti seems tasteful somehow đ
Thanks, Madhu. It’s a most curious little place! đ
Nice post and beautiful images…
Many thanks, Srejjith, much appreciated đ
I love Umbria. In many ways, I think it’s even more beautiful than Tuscany.
I would agree đ
Looks like a nice place for a hike.
Exactly… Remote, stunning scenery, atmosphere. What more could you want?
Gorgeous. I’m glad you’re going to less visited places. đ
I am drawn to the less visited sometimes! Have you been to Casteluccio?
No, I haven’t! I’ve checked, it’s over three hours from me. Still, I have it on my list of places to see. It’s one long list. đ
Well, that’s a long way to drive