Castelluccio di Norcia Live Cam

Geological Framework and Alpine Setting

Castelluccio di Norcia sits atop the high plateau of the Pian Grande at an elevation of 1,452 meters within the Monti Sibillini National Park. This karstic plateau—formed in the Mesozoic era—consists of limestone and dolomite beds that have been uplifted during the Apennine orogeny. Over millennia, surface water percolated through fissures, creating subterranean drainage systems and disappearing streams that re-emerge as springs at lower elevations. The plateau’s nearly flat morphology contrasts sharply with the jagged ridges of Monte Vettore (2,476 m) to the south, offering dramatic alpine panoramas and unique microclimates favorable to high-altitude agriculture.

Karst Process and Soil Composition

The limestone substrate is overlain by a thin layer of calcareous clay and marl, rich in mineral nutrients yet prone to rapid drainage. These soil conditions have historically limited tree growth, creating expansive grasslands where endemic herbaceous species thrive. The plateau’s karst terrain also features sinkholes (dolines) and shallow depressions that collect winter snowmelt, providing natural irrigation for the famous Castelluccio lentils and wildflowers each spring.