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!

Jamie's Great Italian Escape - E04 - Le Marche PART 3

Jamie's Great Italian Escape - E04 - Le Marche PART 1

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

Discovery in the Cantina

When clearing out the Cantina today we came across a box full of broken china. Not sure if its treasure or trash but really impressed with this little gem. 

It looks hand painted, and is a good interpretation of the Square in Ascoli Piceno which is shown in the second picture.  

The inscription says "50th Anniversary of the invalids of the war - 1917- 1967. Only 46 years old and 44 years to go before it becomes an Antique! 

Ascoli is  one of out favourite destination and only about 45 minutes from Cancello Est. 

The central historical part of the city is built in marble called travertino, a grey-hued stone extracted from the surrounding mountains. Its central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo ("Square of the People") is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. According to traditional accounts, Ascoli Piceno was home to more than two hundred towers in the Middle Ages: today some fifty can still be seen.

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)

Environmental Improvements Approved by the Mayor

Winter Wonderland from the Honeymoon Suite

The changing seasons of Gualdo!

Not to be put off by the snow, we ventured on foot to the village to keep our appointment with the Mayor and the planning committee.

It turned out to be a very fruitful meeting and as they were so impressed with the improvements to Cancello Est, they listened carefully to our plans and gave us the go ahead on all our requests.

Loo with a view! 

Permission was grated to install solar panels on the roof for heating and electricity. This means we can heat the pool in winter which will be an added bonus for the guests.


Secondly, they gave full approval for  the grey water recycling system. This will give us a good environmental solution for garden plants and our toilet systems which will all run on collected rain water (and snow!).

In addition, permission was grated for  the south facing sun-deck (or sun-set deck). This will really enhance the pool area and provide a great place for guests to enjoy the magnificent views of the Sibillini National Park.

Gualdo Village Square in the Snow 

Next on the list is the beehives for our own honey (Miele di Cancello Est) and the Worm Farm. We can use food waste for the benefit of the plants and organic veggies.

Our Archtect, Piero, thinks that we will be the only Boutique Hotel in an historic centre of Marche, that is totally environmentally self-sufficient.  Lets wait and see and hope that other establishments follow suit and help us preserve this beautiful area for future generations.

Let it Snow, let it Snow, let it Snow

A Peak Through the Bridal Suite Window