Polino: Rocca, Berge and Nature Trails in the Apennines

Polino is a destination for travelers who want to combine culture and mountain landscapes. The museum is located in the Rocca, while the Volo della Strega and the nature trails place the landscape and natural history at the center of attention.

Historical Sites and Museums

The Museo Laboratorio dell’Appennino Umbro is located in the Rocca di Polino. Another distinctive landmark is the Monumental Fountain of Polino: it was built in 1615 on the initiative of the nobleman Giulio Castelli. Its three-part façade features carved marine and mythological figures, three basins and historic public washhouses.

The Museo dell’Appennino Umbro explores the history and natural features of the Umbrian mountains. The museum also covers flora, fauna, waterways and fossil evidence. Palazzo Castelli also houses an educational workshop on ammonites. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Polino dates from the 16th century. The Eremo di Sant’Antonio has a 16th-century façade and a two-room interior; one of the rooms is carved into the rock and dates from the 12th century. Alongside the historic buildings, the workshop on ammonites adds a natural-history focus.

Mountain Views and Nature Trails

The Volo della Strega is a suspended viewing terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape, a gorge and the Eremo di Sant’Antonio. The mountains Monte Petano, Monte Torrinara and Monte La Pelosa are located near Polino; Monte Poro is also in the surrounding area. Monte La Pelosa combines the mountain setting with the flower-covered slopes of the nature trail.

A nature trail in the Polino area offers botanical and geological information, reveals small marine fossil outcrops and allows visitors to observe rare flowers on the slopes of Monte La Pelosa in late spring. In clear weather, the view extends to the high peaks of the central Apennines. A geological and nature trail near Polino provides knowledge about the fossil-rich surroundings. Nature observation therefore depends on two different conditions: late spring for the flowers and clear weather for the panoramic view of the peaks. The landscape thus extends from the small fossil outcrop to distant views of the high peaks of the central Apennines.

Other Places in the Surrounding Area

The area around Polino is also home to various historical and cultural landmarks. The Cripta - Museo delle Mummie is one of the museums there; Castello Nobili Vitelleschi is one of the castles there. The area also includes the Chiostro di San Francesco, listed as a palace, and the Chiostro di San Pietro, also listed as a palace. Exploring the surrounding area therefore means encountering museums, castles and palaces in various forms.

More Destinations for Your Planning

Porano, Montegabbione, Arrone, Tenaglie, Casigliano, Acqualoreto, Cantone and Amelia

To the higher-level travel overview: Terni.