Description
Castelluccio, once a castle under the control of Norcia, today it is well known for the surrounding landscape of the Sibillini Mountain National Park, famous for its natural beauty and legends. It was built as a last defence of the territory around Norcia towards the Marche along an important mediaeval path.
The very compact settlement is situated on a hill with the same name as the plain below, and the layout of the buildings is determined by concentric roads inside the town to the summit of the hill. The dwellings are all grouped together in the centre, whereas the cowsheds on the outside stretch out to enclose the town. Despite recent renovation works the town has kept its original characteristics.
The cultivation of lentils is of particular importance to the agricultural economy of the area. The local people believe that the length of cooking time required and the resistance to parasites by the lentils from Castelluccio are a result of their high iron content.
A cooperative is currently being founded for the harvest and sale of the product, which obtained the trade mark from the Chamber of Commerce of Perugia as far back as 1977. In the summer months after the hard work of hand harvesting the legumes are traditionally laid out on hessian to dry in the sun and air along the roads of Castelluccio.
A dish of lentils, which resemble tiny coins,replica rolex is prepared on the last day of the year to bring good luck.
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