Mount Subasio Park has various trails that will lead you to discover its hidden treasures. These include not only natural beauties such as phenomena of karst origin, but also man’s ancient constructions, such as bridges and water troughs, and sheltered places of prayer and meditation, such as the mountain churches.
The summit of Mount Subasio is scored by some conspicuous karst phenomena caused by the action of water on the calcareous strata
Two main types of sinkholes or dolines have been identified: the mortari and the fosse, both used in the past to produce ice. In fact, the snow was collected in these basins or in the artificial ice holes and then covered with earth to conserve it longer.
The Mortaro Grande is slightly elliptic, with fairly steep walls and a rounded base approximately 60 metres deep.
A little to the north-east is the Mortaiolo with a steep slope and is approximately 20 metres deep.
Lastly, the Mortaro delle Trosce lies approximately 500 metres north-east of the aerial masts. It is circular and is 50 metres deep at the lowest point.
The Fosse Rotonda measures approximately 12 metres and has been made watertight to collect rain water to supply the local water troughs, in the same way as the Fosse Cieca.
The Lake of Pietrolunga lies on Spello’s slope, where forestation has made the karst phenomenon less noticeable.
The entire Mount Subasio Park reveals karst phenomena, including wells, underground passages, cavities even 30 metres deep, such as the Grotta del Subasio (also known as Grotta del Diavolo- the Devil’s Cave), the area of Vallonica and the Orrido delle Carceri. This is a sinkhole that channels and collects any infiltrating water. The locals believe it only fills up in times of war and major events.
The European Union has begun the Natura 2000 project to protect certain habitats, and species of animals and plants of its member states. Five Sites of Community Interest (SIC) or Special Conservation Zones (ZSC) have been identified in the area of Mount Subasio Park
These zones are: the River Tescio (the upper part); Colli Selvalonga and the Mount (Assisi); Mount Subasio (the summit); Fosso dell’ Eremo delle Carceri (Mount Subasio); Poggio Caselle – Fossi Renaro (Mount Subasio).
The green areas worthy of special interest include:
The River Tescio marks the northern border of the Park and has numerous ancient bridges that served to facilitate trade with the nearby Marches and the flow of pilgrims. This minor network of roads served to link the two parts of the homonymous valley divided by the River Tescio and connected the numerous water mills in the area.
Some of these bridges include:
As Subasio has a rounded, calcareous shape, the majority of the rain water flows underground until it reaches the impermeable strata. This is where the water comes out of the mountain at various levels in the form of river heads which, over time, man has managed by creating springs and troughs and sometimes channelling the water to be used in the aqueducts of nearby villages.
The parish church of Viole, one of the hamlets of Assisi, stands on the slopes of Mount Subasio facing south.
Immediately behind the church is the well, Fonte di San Vitale, already reconstructed in 1756 and restored in 2001.
Built in the 11th century 958 metres above sea level on a ridge of the slope of Mount Subasio that descends to Collepino and then on to Spello. The name comes from specula, meaning “panorama“, for the extensive views that sweep as far as the Sibillini Mountains.
ÈIt is a small building standing on a knoll halfway between Collepino and San Giovanni. A canvas kept behind the main altar portrays the Madonna della Provvidenza.
This simple, elegant building of pietra serena with its bell gable stands in the Tescio Valley.
