The Sibillini National Park - Simply Stunning

Monti Sibillini National Park, Italy -- National Geographic

Name: Monti Sibillini National Park

Location: Italy

Date Established: 1993

Size: 276 square miles (714 square kilometers)

Did You Know?

• Namesake Mount Sibilla is named for a legendary prophetess named Sibyl. Knights and other petitioners from across Europe made the arduous journey to her remote cave, the story goes, in hopes of gaining a few precious pearls of wisdom.

• Village Charm Eighteen charismatic towns, tucked in and among the mountains, are packed with historic art and abbeys, castles, and medieval town centers that evidence an ancient relationship between the land and its people.

• Towns Each community has its own character. Cessapalombo, meaning “cut-down forest,” dates to the third century B.C. and has a museum to charcoal burning, which was one of the early industries in the area. The valley of Acquacanina is a center of Benedictine abbeys, placed under direct Papal protection in 1192. The fortified town of Arquata is still surrounded by ancient walls and gates. And Visso, home of the park’s headquarters, is set among wooded hills where five river valleys converge in a location so inviting humans settled the spot 900 years before Rome was founded.

• Park Peaks Here in the heart of the Sibillini Mountains ten peaks soar above 6,560 feet (2,000 meters), led by Mount Vettore, which tops out at 8,123 feet (2,476 meters). The mountainous slopes that reach these dizzying heights are cut by narrow valleys and rushing rivers before giving way to pastoral alpine landscapes below the tree line.

• Plants and Animals The park is home to 1,800 plant species and a wild bouquet of mountain flowers including edelweiss, pasqueflowers, martagon lilies, bearberries, and various orchids. Animal life includes wolves and wild mountain cats as well as prickly porcupines. Roe deer have recently been reintroduced. Golden eagles, peregrine falcons, eagles, owls, goshawks, snow finches, and sparrow hawks fill the skies. And small invertebrates are among the more interesting inhabitants—several live nowhere else on Earth except in a lake here.

• Local Flavor The Sibillini Mountains have some outstanding culinary offerings. Perched between the Marches and Umbria, a smorgasbord of cured meats is always on offer. Other tasty local fare includes apples, honey, truffles, mushrooms, chestnuts, chickpeas, and vin cotto or cooked wine.

How to Get There

Trains stop in Ascoli Piceno, Spoleto, and Camerino. Bus routes also serve these towns and reach Fermo as well.

When to Visit

Winters in the mountains are cold and snowy yet beautiful, especially to cross-country skiers and other winter sport enthusiasts. And the region’s thermal springs are especially welcome at this time. Spring brings the blooming of alpine flowers, and when truly warm weather hits the entire spectrum of outdoor activities is in full swing.

How to Visit

Monti Sibillini National Park is an adventure sport center. Mountain biking, horseback riding, hang gliding, paragliding, and climbing are all popular activities here. But other visitors happily stick to town streets and enjoy the artistic, cultural, culinary, and historic traditions that have arisen and endured here over the centuries.
Monti Sibillini National Park, Italy -- National Geographic

Bridal Suite Frescoes Finally Finished

 This was so worth waiting the 9 weeks of toil by the talented Adriana! Talk about a work of love! True Artistry and now preserved for future generations. This was not a restoration, this is about leaving a legacy!

Vino Cotto Production Area to be Revamped

The Cantina area of Cancello is has revealed so many secrets. The Vino Cotto production area sadly has to be demolished to make room for the Dining Room and formal Guest Lounge. 

The revamped area will open out onto the sun deck and pool and have amazing views over the Sibillini National park and the mountains.

We will be able to retain some of the features such as the fire place for roaring fires in the winter (and run the underfloor central heating).

There is also a "grape duct" that we will save. This runs through the house for three storeys from the village road side - it was used to unload the grapes and deposit them straight into the Cantina for treading.

Sadly the Vino Cotto boiler will have to go as it takes up too much room. However, we should be able to save the copper boiler and of course the antique barrels (date stamped 1904). Now the challenge is to find ways of recycling these.  Plant pots seems such a shame!

Vino cotto (literally cooked wine) is a form of wine from Marche, Abruzzo and Calabria in Southern Italy. It is typically made by individuals for their own use, rather than commercially, however, now becoming more popular and also known to chefs. The must, from any of several local varieties of grapes, is heated in a copper vessel where it is reduced in volume by up to a third. The must is not to undergo fermentation before it is heated. Once reduced and allowed to cool it is aged in storage for a few years. It is a ruby-colored wine, somewhat similar to Madeira, being slightly sweet with no alcohol content.

Uncovering Residents of Yesteryear

More discoveries in the Cantina - this one reveals more of the previous owners of Cancello Est.

We think he is quite a dapper man and looks very smart in this picture.

His epitaph reads:

Husband and incomparable father who in 28 beautiful years of teaching at the elementary school placed in many precious young people seeds of knowledge and goodness. 

We are going to frame this to share the history of Cancello Est with guests and hopefully find more about the families who lived here over the centuries.

Trash or Treasure and a Coincidence

More gifts from the Cantina.  This plate may be rubbish,  but does remind us of one of our all-time favourite movies "Tea with Mussolini". That coincidence I am sure will elevate it to treasure.

In other cities such as Florence, most or all of their towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes, or urban renewal, San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying heights, for which it is known internationally. It is now a UNESCO Heritage site 




Some of the towers are:

• Torre Grossa, (1311) 54 metres
• Torre della Rognosa, 51 metres
• Torre Cugnanesi
• Torre del Diabolo
• Torri degli Ardinghelli
• Torri dei Salvucci
• Torre Chigi, (1280)
• Torre Pettini

The Changing Season of Gualdo

Great picture of the local church down the tree lined Avenue from the Square (thanks Carola Wicenti for the picture)

A Peak Through the Bridal Suite Window

Another Discovery at Cancello Est

We discovered this ornate brick today - an eight-pointed star which has been carved onto the face of a totally square brick.  Adriana, the Fresco expert says it dates from the 14th or 15th century and believes it was part of the original eastern gate of the village of Gualdo. 

According to christianity, the eight-pointed star is the Star of Redemption or Regeneration and represents baptism. Eight is traditionally the number of regeneration, and thus many baptismal fonts have an octagonal base. 

Providing added significance is the assumption that Jesus was circumcised and named when he was eight days old (the traditional Jewish practice); baptism is seen as the New Testament equivalent of circumcision.

Finally, eight persons were saved in Noah's ark, which is another Old Testament parallel of baptism.

Well, we feel it is quite apt as there is certainly a lot of regeneration going on at Cancello Est. 
If anyone can throw any more light on this we would really appreciate the feedback. We have forwarded to the local historical offices for more information. 

It Feels like Spring has Sprung and Guest Lounge Underway

It feels like Spring has arrived in Gualdo. Trees are and in full bud, Catkins and blowing in the breeze and beautiful blue skies over the Sibillini Mountains.

The guest lounge on 2nd floor has just had a new floor and the walls have been stripped to reveal beautiful honey coloured stone. The pictures of the views are taken from this room and are spectacular.

Beams, refurbished stone and more recycled original floor tiles will complete the look. Moving in at Easter is  becoming more of a reality every day.

Scaffolding Removal Reveals a Gem!

Before - Cancello Est is the white building bottom right with the creeper 

Before and after!

The facade has now been fully restored and what a difference it makes.

All the cement and white wash was removed by hand due to the fragility of the ancient stone.

The stonework originally was quarried by hand and you can see the craftsmanship of the 17th Century artisans.

Just need to add the windows and shutters and the old girl will look perfect.

After - Cancello Est is now the honey coloured building to the right

Bridal Suite Fresco - Stage one

Don't worry - the cracks and the rogue plaster will disappear during stage two  As a bridal suite we think this is starting to become quite a special place to wake up on the first day of your honeymoon!

Fresco Restoration Has Begun - Unbelievable Beauty Discovered

After the Christmas break, the restoration of the Frescoes has begun in earnest and we are amazed at the beautiful designs that are slowly being revealed.

The first masterpiece will be in the bridal suite and has been dated to 17th Century. 

Can you imagine waking up to this creation on the first day of your honeymoon?

Adriana, our fresco restorer has predicted that the walls will be panelled and she believes that they will have scenic views of the Marche and Sibillini views,  that she says,  is typical of the area and of the period. If this proves to be correct the  stunning view through the window will be framed by an artist impression of the magnificent countryside. 

We can' wait to see what a few more days of scraping, dissolving, restoration and good old fashioned Italian Elbow Grease will reveal - I guess as they say, watch this space!

We are Floored for Christmas!

 Our builders have completed the top floor floors on Cancello Est.  It has been an interesting engineering project to ensure that the property is stable and now earthquake proof.

A metal frame was secured to all the outer walls and "pinned" through the meter thick walls. Then a metal grid floor was welded on covering the entire floor space in every room.  Apparently, this structure will hold everything tight and secure and reinforce the floors and walls. I guess the old lady is now well corseted and all her featured tightly knitted together, keeping her firm and secure against anything Mother Nature may throw at her in the future!

 Next stage is the underfloor heating and the finish touch - the 16th Century honey coloured tiles.

Winter Visitor at Cancello Est. Could it be Rudolf?

A beautiful stag, happily grazing near Cancello Est. 

It's not Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen or Rudolf (no red nose) as they are Reindeer but this handsome fellow certainly gives a Christmas feel to Gualdo as he feeds in the warm afternoon sun. 

Marche - Land of Magic

The Old Lady Reveals More Secrets

 As we peel back the layers of nearly 400 years of DIY and bad restoration Cancello Est continues to surprise us.  Now the roof structure has been completed the builders are busy removing walls and floors on the top floor which will eventually provide us with four luxury rooms all en-suite. These suites will have spectacular views of the Sibillini Mountains, the Grand Sasso and the National Park.

The floors, over the years had become a bit of a Mille Feuille with all the various layers added over the centuries. Sixty centimetres in total.

The first layer that was removed is 120 year old Terracotta floor tiles which are a rich red in colour and these will be recycled for the "cantina" area which will become the guest lounge, Bar, Dining Room and Cooking School.

The next layer was of course cement and underneath the builders discovered a deep layer at least 50 centimetres of compacted river sand and and earth.


The final reveal was the original 17th Century floor tiles that miraculously have been beautifully preserved against the ravages of time. They are  the most beautiful honey colour which is typical of the Marche region.

Now the walls are floors are removed the rebuilding begins with new beams, insulation, underfloor heating and of course the fully restored recycled floor tiles. Can't wait to see the finished floors  which the builders say should be before Christmas.

Its hard to comprehend that this magnificent building was constructed during the coronation of Charles I and has survived wars, famine and earthquakes.

Let it Snow,Let It Snow, Let it Snow

Could be famous last words - but we have had our first snow falls on the mountains and it all looks very festive and postcard Christmassy.  Gualdo is looking particularly festive and have put all the Christmas lights up in the historic area of town - we even have a set of lights outside Cancello Est.

Christmas Cake made, pickles done, Mince Pies in the oven - just need to add friends and family for the perfect Christmas

Where Eagles Dare!

Wonderful sight from Cancello Est this morning - a pair of eagles were swopping over the new roof and enjoying the winter sun.

It's remarkable that there is such incredible wildlife so close to us. Probably due to the fact that we overlook the Sibillini National Park and the wondrous snow capped peaks of the mountains.

Copper Guttering added to Complete the Roof

The finishing touches to the roof refurbishment is the addition of wonderful copper gutters that will drain the rainwater into tanks so that in can be recycled for garden use and to fill the pool.

Looks pretty amazing just hope we don't have to polish it every week !