Brochure "Italy now"

The Green Face of Abruzzo
The Green Face of Abruzzo
Nature parks and protected areas
In Abruzzo, bears and chamois, rocky
cliffs and forests, gentle rolling hills, and
stunning sandy beaches set between the
towering peaks of the Gran Sasso, Majella,
and Velino mountains abound. Abruzzo has
diverse and charming natural riches in every
season.
The lushness and wide variety of the natural
landscape make Abruzzo a trove of ecological
and environmental treasures.
The towering peaks of the Apennines running
down to the sea, low population density,
a heritage of biodiversity paired with the
ideal habitat for protected species, combine
to make Abruzzo a haven for enviromentalists.
The pride of the region are two species
saved from extinction: the Marsican Bear and
the Apennine Wolf. Abruzzo’s wild countryside,
the wolves’ protected status, and the
local people’s age-old relationship with these
wild animal have guaranteed their survival.
Excursions can be organized to view the
wolves. Bears, who prefer to live in isolation,
can seldom be seen. They live on the Majella,
the Gran Sasso, and the Simbruini mountains.
Otters and lynxes are rare but have
been spotted. The Apennine chamois is often
seen in the Val di Rose and on Mount Amaro,
in the National Park. Boars, introduced to the
woods for hunting purposes, are everywhere.
Reptiles are numerous, as are some special
amphibians, such as the emerald toad. These
beautiful animals thrive in the vegetation to
which they are indigenous. Beech trees are
SCIENCE
Abruzzo has several centers for scientific
research and technological development.
The Astronomical Observatory at
Campo Imperatore is near the hotel
where Mussolini was imprisoned, and
the village also boasts the highest
Botanical gardens in the Apennines.
The National Institute for Nuclear
Physics is housed under the Gran Sasso
mountain.
The Official Guide to Italian Tourism
the kings of Abruzzo, along with silver firs,
black pines, hazels, turkey oaks, and cherry
trees. Wonderful wildflowers abound;
between spring and summer, gentians, wild
orchids, peonies, cyclamens, buttercups, and
violets bloom and add color to the idyllic
landscapes.
Italy Now
Waterfalls found inside
the National Park of Abruzzo.
These unique landscapes have brought the
creation of many National Parks that form a
close network of regional and state-controlled
nature reserves, real life oases that
ensure that the natural world of Abruzzo is
well protected and can be enjoyed by all.
29
Photo courtesy of Regione Abruzzo