Costacciaro: Monte Cucco Nature Park, Caves and Village History

Costacciaro between Monte Cucco and Village History

Costacciaro is located in Monte Cucco Nature Park. Monte Cucco rises within the municipality of Costacciaro and reaches an elevation of 1,566 metres. If you are planning an independent trip to Italy, the area offers distinct focuses including landscapes, the underground world, sports and local history.

The Natural Environment of Monte Cucco

In addition to meadows and centuries-old beech forests, the landscape and natural environment of Monte Cucco Park include an extensive cave system of karstic origin, gorges, springs at higher elevations and untouched waterways. The underground system of Grotta del Monte Cucco extends for approximately 35 kilometres and reaches a maximum depth of 922 metres.

Caves, Gorge and Trails

Caving activities are primarily centred on Grotta del Monte Cucco in the municipality of Costacciaro. Close to the town of Costacciaro, the Fossa-Secca Gorge is used for canyoning; it is approximately 2,000 metres long and has an elevation difference of 400 metres. These are two clearly distinct natural themes: an extensive underground system and a gorge with its own connection to canyoning.

Trail 280, formerly numbered 24, connects the medieval village of Costacciaro with Monte Cucco and is also known as the “Sentiero del Beato”. The “Trekking al Monte Cucco – Da Costacciaro a Pantella” trekking route begins in Costacciaro. If you distinguish between your interests in Trail 280 to Monte Cucco and a route starting in the town, the two connections remain clearly separate.

The sports facilities include a BMX track open to everyone, where the instructors from Cucco in Bike provide lessons. Fishing is possible along the entire course of the Sentino River within the municipal area of Costacciaro. Together with the trail and cave-related activities, this creates a varied and clearly distinct range of things to do.

Churches, Museum and Local History

In the historic centre of the main town of Costacciaro, there is a well-preserved antique olive mill dating from the 17th century, which remained in operation until around 1960. The Museo delle Grotte e dell’Ambiente Carsico del Parco del Monte Cucco is housed in the former Church of San Marco on Corso Mazzini in Costacciaro.

The Church of San Francesco was built around the middle of the 13th century and extended at the beginning of the 18th century. Its Romanesque-Gothic façade is made of white limestone from Monte Cucco. Blessed Tommaso Grasselli of Costacciaro was a Camaldolese monk and hermit.

Local Character and Crescia

The Corsa delle Botti festival is another part of the local character. It consists of a race involving two barrels that rotate around an axle fitted with a drawbar; they are pulled by groups of young people known as the “bottaioli”. Alongside the churches and natural attractions, the festival adds its own distinct local accent.

The cuisine also has a clear connection to the Costacciaro area: Crescia is a traditional recipe from this region. The dough is prepared by hand using flour, water and salt. If you combine nature, local history and regional cuisine in a single trip, Costacciaro offers different, clearly defined themes for each.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

Borghetto, Cerreto Di Spoleto, Bonsciano, Doglio, Campi, Assisi, Colvalenza and Perugia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Perugia.