Colfiorito park, Regional park in Foligno, Italy

Colfiorito Park is a protected area in the Umbrian hills covering roughly 338 hectares with wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands at about 800 meters elevation. The landscape contains dense aquatic vegetation and supports a range of different ecological zones throughout the park.

From the 15th century the Camera Apostolica, holder of the rights, and the communities of Colfiorito and Forcatura sought to drain the marsh for farming, as had been done at the nearby Piano del Casone with the Botte dei Varano collector. The Orfini of Foligno were tasked in 1492 and the Angeloni of Monteleone di Spoleto in 1559, but neither completed the work. Real attempts began in 1570 with the hydraulic engineer Francesco Iacobilli of Foligno and continued in 1585 with his nephew Giulio, who started channeling the water into the Varano collector but were stopped by opposition from Camerino. A partial drainage through three natural sinkholes collapsed under torrential rain, and another attempt by Angelo di Francesco failed in 1633; in 1652 the Iacobilli built a grain mill using the drop from the collection basin to the sinkhole, and held hunting and fishing rights until 1806.

The park's name comes from the Colfiorito plateau, and the marsh at its centre has been exploited for centuries: the Iacobilli family built a grain mill in 1652 using the drop of water from the collection basin to the sinkhole, and held hunting and fishing rights there until 1806. Today the cultivated fields around the marsh grow red potatoes and lentils.

Wooden boardwalks guide visitors through the wetland areas while marked trails provide access for walking and observing birds in their natural habitats. Parking areas and informational signs throughout the park help you navigate and understand the different zones you encounter.

The Molinaccio pit is a natural hollow where water soaks into the ground in a peculiar way, creating rings of vegetation that grow in concentric patterns. This unusual feature attracts migratory birds that find shelter and food among the layered vegetation.