The bright green expanse lying at the foot of the city walls of the town of Norcia is known by the name of “Marcite”.

What is apparently a simple meadow, reveals its artificial character of masterpiece of human genius to a closer look. In fact, the Marcite are meadows permanently irrigated by a thin layer of water, thanks to a hydraulic system of locks and canals, which favors the grass growth even in winter, providing up to 10 cuts of grass per year. They are in the western side of Saint Scolastica plain, where altitude is low (around 570 – 590 meters), occupying the area where the groundwater of Saint Martin stream, of the Torbidone river, of Our Lady of Capregna and of the Salicone stream, which are then collected in the Sordo river, re-emerges.

They are divided into small plots called cortinelle, separated by canals of water convoy, barred by wooden locks, so that the water overflows, irrigating the lawn surface, by means of small ditches that make uniform the water flow, avoiding stagnation.

Scholars do not agree about the origin of these fields. Some of them retrace it back to the sixth century, when agricultural practices knew a great development thanks to the religious order of Saint Benedetto. More recent Scholars find the birth of this irrigation system between the late thirteenth and early fourteenth century, in imitation of the Marcite in Lombardia (north Italy), always introduced by monastic orders.

Water temperature is around 6° and 12° at the springs, and it is thanks to this condition, together with the uniformity of water flow, guaranteed by men labor, that the meadows of Marcite are evergreen. The wide open spaces of the Marcite are free, everyone who wants to know and appreciate them can freely go there, but it would be worth to be prepared in your own interest and in respect of places.

Valnerina Tourist Service recommends you to take advantage of local environmental guides, in order to enjoy your visit discovering secrets and curiosities of these fascinating places. To organize a guided tour to the mills and to the meadows of Marcite, contact the Comunità Montana of Valnerina.