Scenic inspiration (Umbria)

Beautiful place with people enjoying the countryside within the last few days. A refreshing site. Just past this link is great photo collection from New Mexico.

It is near Norcia, known for it’s pork, very worthy of a visit. You see pork from Norcia on menus throughout Italy. Charming town. The area was badly damaged by an earthquake a few years ago but this post makes me think the area has recovered.

@Insbig Sun 11.15 am

A bit slow in posting but have not checked into this site for a week or more.

My family and I spent a day in this area of Umbria in mid Sept 2018. Drove to Norcia early morning and spent about 3 hours in the town. A rather smallish walled town that history shows had a vision of grandeur that did not eventuate. Damaged over the years from earthquakes. Two severe ones struck in 2016. When we were there about 1/3 of the town was cordoned off by construction safety barriers including the main Basilica which appeared close to collapse. We enjoyed our time there as most people were locals going about their shopping and the shopkeepers were happy to talk to us.

The women insisted that we stop outside the old town at a chocolate factory. Which ended up lasting for about 1 ½ hours as we were given a tour and talk on how the chocolates were produced. Personally, not a big chocolate fan but a rather large supply of superb chocolates was purchased. The women were happy.

Then drove over a ridge to the valley covered in the Atlantic piece. Piani di Castelluccio. There was no evidence of the harvest that had taken place 2 months prior. Just sheep and cattle grazing and a few horses. It is a lovely valley surrounded by some of the Sibillini mountain range. Very few cars and people, just a handful of students undertaking paraglide training. We had a picnic with the cheeses, salami, prosciutto, bread, and truffles purchased in Norcia.

The small hilltop town of Castelluccio was heavily damaged during the earthquakes with many of the houses reduced to rubble. Most of the town was cordoned off. The damage is clearly seen in the photographs in the article. Reconstruction work was underway. We are glad we went to the area.

Stay safe.

Regards Ron

Thanks for the responses! My online map shows extensive earthquake destruction in Castelluccio, but also a few few working sleeping and eating establishments.