Antoine de La Sale and the Paradise of Queen Sibyl

Antoine de La Sale and the Paradise of Queen Sibyl: what to know

Who the author was and why he climbed the mountain. Antoine de la Sale was a French courtier, tutor and writer. The account of the journey is dedicated to Duchess Agnes of Burgundy, wife of Charles I of Bourbon, to whom the author sent it to keep a promise. The cave was described for the first time in 1420, based on folk tales collected on site.

How the account is built. The text blends elements of chronicle and fairy tale, balanced between reality and imagination. The author begins by describing precisely the route to the summit of Monte Sibilla and gives many details about the places, especially the vegetation, with the flowers he calls pollibastro and centofoglie. He then records the oral tales of the people of Montemonaco, including that of a priest, Antonio Fumato, about more or less fantastic expeditions into the cave.

What La Sale actually saw. Because of landslides inside the cave that had occurred as early as the early Middle Ages, he could draw with rare precision only the plan of the vestibule, which had remained intact. He went no farther than a square chamber cut into the rock, just past a narrow passage. In that room there is an almost round opening, the size of a man's head, which lets in little light because of the thickness of the mountain. The chapter also contains a map of the climb from Montemonaco.

The stories collected in Montemonaco. Two young men from Montemonaco, questioned by the author, said they had gone down with three others into the depths of the cave for about three miles, until a violent wind blew out of a crack that cut across the cavern and fear stopped them.

Very different is the tale of the German knight and his squire. Beyond the metal doors, the two find a dazzlingly bright cave full of reflections, with a sparkling queen and many damsels: this is the Paradise of Queen Sibyl, and the queen welcomes them kindly. The knight then goes to Rome to ask the Pope for absolution, which the Pope does not grant right away. In despair, he leaves farewell letters to the shepherds of the Sibillini and plunges back forever into the Sibyl's paradise.

A work with several editions and images. A manuscript of the Paradis de la reine Sibylle is kept at the Musée de Condé in Chantilly, and an Italian edition reproduces sixteen of its images. An illustration from 1420 attributed to La Sale depicts the Vettore, Lago di Pilato and the Sibyl with her cave.

Links to other legends. Andrea da Barberino's account of the Sibyl's court is very similar to the one written down by La Sale. To learn more, see the page on the Guerin Meschino legend. The figure herself is described on the page on the Apennine Sibyl. A local tradition sees her as a good fairy whose handmaidens came down to the valley to teach spinning and weaving or to dance with the young people at festivals. More stories are on the pages Legends of the Sibillini Mountains and the fairies and necromancers of the Sibillini. For the lake tied to the Sibyl, there is the page on the Lago di Pilato legend.

Antoine de La Sale and the Paradise of Queen Sibyl: the places of the story today

The climb up Monte Sibilla is suited to summer and fall. The best period runs from May, when there is no snow, to October. Outside these months, the altitude makes the route more demanding.

The season also matters for reaching the starting point. In summer, traffic on the road to the Rifugio Sibilla may be restricted, and a shuttle bus runs from Montemonaco. Before setting out it is worth checking the rules in force in the year of the visit with the Comune di Montemonaco (the town hall) or the Casa del Parco (park visitor center).

The rest of the year, the figure of La Sale can still be explored through an edition of the text, without climbing to altitude.

Antoine de La Sale and the Paradise of Queen Sibyl: practical tips

Can the cave be visited? No. The cave opens onto a terrace at the base of the Corona and is now blocked by fallen boulders. Hikes reach the site of the cave ruins and then continue along the ridge. The 2016 earthquake made access to some areas of the Sibillini more difficult. The Rifugio Sibilla (a mountain hut) stayed closed for a long time after the earthquake, but cars can be left next to it.

Where to start and how to climb. From Montemonaco, take the paved road to Isola San Biagio; after 2 km turn left onto the gravel road, which climbs steeply to the Rifugio Sibilla, at 1,540 m. From there, CAI trail 155 follows the southwest ridge to the Corona, a band of rock fitted with chains. A little farther on are the remains of the cave, and continuing on you reach the summit of Monte Sibilla, at 2,173 m.

Distance, elevation gain and duration. The loop is about 12 km long, with about 710 m of elevation gain, and takes between 4 and 5 hours of walking. The Park rates it EE, for expert hikers, and some fitness is needed because of the length. The route is not recommended for anyone who suffers from vertigo or is new to the mountains.

What to bring. Hiking boots, a windbreaker, water and food are needed. Bring at least 2 liters of water, a hat and sunscreen. Along the ridge the wind can be a nuisance at times. As always in the mountains, check the weather before setting out.

What you see. From the summit the view opens up all around and over the Gola dell'Infernaccio, a gorge. The Adriatic Sea can also be glimpsed.

Reading the text. There is a 2001 Italian edition, edited by Patrizia Romagnoli, with the original French text on the facing page. The preface is by the historian of geography Eugenio Turri.