Italian News Headlines 26-09-2023 - Cosa Nostra mafia boss, Messina Denaro, has died of colon cancer at the age of 62. He was being held in a maximum security prison after 30 years on the run. He was responsible for dozens of murders including those of anti-mafia magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino --- Giorgio Napolitano, the only Italian President to be elected twice, has died in Rome at the age of 98 --- Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, met with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the Italian island of Lampedusa to discuss the European refugee crisis after more than 7,000 migrants arrived from Tunisia in a single week --- Venetian authorities vote to introduce 'ticket only' access to the city from 2024 --- A man who posted a video of himself carving his name into the wall of the Colosseum, while his girlfriend watched, has been identified as living in Britain --- Following the death of Silvio Berlusconi, on June 12th, Antonio Tajani will be appointed the new president of Forza Italia --- Silvio Berlusconi, 4 times Italian prime minister, has died at the age of 86 from complications resulting from Leukaemia --- Extreme weather in Emilia-Romagna has led to 14 dead and 35,000 displaced. There are 500 roads closed and over over 300 sites at risk of landslides --- Two new victims of the Vesuvius eruption in 79AD have been discovered during excavations in Pompei
Monti Sibillini National Park

Monti Sibillini
(Marche / Umbria)

The Monti Sibillini National Park form part of the Appennine Mountains which stretch 1,200 km from north to south Italy. The Sibillini Mountains are named after Sibilla, an ancient prophetess named the “queen of the fairies” who, it is said, lived in a cave on the 2,200-metre-high Monte Sibilla.

Monti Sibillini National Park
click to enlarge

The park is in a very mountainous area with 192 named mountains, of which Monte Vettore is the highest at nearly 4,500 metres. Of the mountains, over two dozen are at least 2,000 metres high.

Monti Sibillini National Park
Mount Vettore - Photo: Jefftaylor@xwb.com

The area is perhaps best known for its truly unique nature sites. In Castelluccio di Norcia, there is coniferous forest in the shape of Italy (Bosco Italia). The piani di Castelluccio’s karst lake bed blooms every summer to reveal a breathtakingly colourful display of lentils, daises and poppies.

Monti Sibillini National Park
Photo: initalia.virgilio.it

The Valle dell’Acquasanta hiking area has stunning waterfalls and the Grotta dell’Orso (Bear Cave), whilst the Gole dell’Infernaccio are natural gorges offering an outstanding spectacular natural landmark. Also here is the Eremo di San Leonardo al Volubrio ancient monastery.

Monti Sibillini National Park
Eremo di San Leonardo al Volubrio - Photo: crocedivetta.com

Many tourists also flock to Sibillini for its famed hiking trails. There are an extensive 450 km of marked roads surrounding the park. Alternatively, walking and billing directions are also available.

Fauna and flora in the park are incredibly diverse. The formerly almost-extinct Appennine wolf and chamois (for which there is a museum). Bird watchers are popular in the park, to keep an eye out for the 150 different species calling the park home. Peregrine falcons and goshawks can be seen very high at sea level, circling and looking for prey.

Sibellini is home to traditional mammals seen throughout other parks in Italy, such as the wild boar and red fox. Within the park, in Lago Pilate, lives an extremely rare species of fairy shrimp (Chirocephalus marchesonii), as well as the similarly elusive Orsini viper snake. The park also hosts the Giardino delle Farfalle butterfly garden.

Monti Sibillini National Park
Lake Pilate - Photo: flickr.com plutogno

A living ecosystem breaths within the park, comprising over an estimated 1,800 different plant species. Many types of orchids are prevalent in Sibillini, as are edelweiss, lilies and other wildflowers. Below a thousand feet the park is awash with oak, ash and hornbeam trees. Higher up, beech forests and alpine grasslands cover the mountainsides. Of these alpine species, the shrub Ephedra nebrodensis and Carex disticha species of sedge are rarely seen anywhere else in Italy.

Monti Sibillini National Park
Carex disticha - Photo: dryades.units.it

‘Forest bathing’ retreats take place within Sibillini’s medium to low-altitude level trees, inspired by the Japanese Shinrin-yoku practise of spending time in nature and being present with the five senses to improve mental wellbeing and joy.

Sibillini is also a hub for incredible food. Lentils come from the soil of Castelluccio, while fragrant mushrooms and truffles, honey and trout (from the Nera river) help to put the area of the gastronomy map. Traditional Italian farming happens throughout Sibillini and the area produces fantastic cheese, in particular pecorino and ricotta.

The Best Italian Handmade Gifts
Direct From Italy

Monti Sibillini National Park

More Details

Regional Events
The Palio

Viareggio Carnival
Festival of Sant Efisio

Rificolona
Venice Carnival

Umbria Jazz
The Sartiglia
Calcio Fiorentino
ROMEWEATHER
Other pages you might like
Made in Italy
Newsletter
Enter your email address below to receive our free newsletter, 'I Love Italy'. It provides a captivating glimpse into the allure of 'The Bel Paese', containing extracts from our most recent articles, a window on Italian news, fashion, music and culture, useful information for visiting and living in Italy as well as our latest, delicious Italian recipes.

Subscribers are also entitled to a 10% discount on purchases from our sister-site, Italy Gifts Direct.

We will not use your email address for any other purpose or pass it on to any other organisation and you can unsubscribe from this service at any time.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.