For many years, the hilly area behind Livorno, Rosignano and Collesalvetti has been a "no man's land", inhabited only by local hermits, shepherds and excursionists. Luckily, though, the huge ecological and touristic value of these hills, that up to then had been managed through poorly co-ordinated ... Read review
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For many years, the hilly area behind Livorno, Rosignano and Collesalvetti has been a "no man's land", inhabited only by local hermits, shepherds and excursionists. Luckily, though, the huge ecological and touristic value of these hills, that up to then had been managed through poorly co-ordinated and inconsistent interventions, has been recognized.
A couple of years ago, at a meeting hosted by the Province of Livorno, ... ...the original nature of this place. It is a fossil island, actually, which means a veritable island that used to be joined to the mainland in comparatively recent geological eras. The Livorno Hill Park has progressed from its project stage and we will soon be able to use all the tools (signs, tracks, facilities, maps) required to give the right value to this green island, a real excursionists' paradise.
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For many years, the hilly area behind Livorno, Rosignano and Collesalvetti has been a "no man's land", inhabited only by local hermits, shepherds and excursionists. Luckily, though, the huge ecological and touristic value of these hills, that up to then had been managed through poorly co-ordinated and inconsistent interventions, has been recognized.
A couple of years ago, at a meeting hosted by the Province of Livorno, the term "The Hidden Island" was used with reference to the original nature of this place. It is a fossil island, actually, which means a veritable island that used to be joined to the mainland in comparatively recent geological eras. The Livorno Hill Park has progressed from its project stage and we will soon be able to use all the tools (signs, tracks, facilities, maps) required to give the right value to this green island, a real excursionists' paradise.
On the way to Castelnuovo, a stopover in the nearby XV century town of Fosciandora is a must. The outlying wards that make up the municipality are all situated on the hills, along the scenic road that climbs up the steep slopes and gives visitors the opportunity to admire the castles of Perpoli, Palleroso e Fiattone. Fosciandora became the administrative centre only in 1846; before this time the territory was governed by the castle of Ceserana (today ... ...The small centre has kept its medieval aspect with the castle, the church and the tower. Summer here is enlivened by many festivals such as the pilgrimage to the shrine of the Stella of Migliano and the Festival of the "emigrant-tourist" held in the Moscardini Villa at Fosciandora. ...
giannit 10.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Tuscany (Italy)
Established in 1985, it occupies approximately 534 square kilometres and includes the whole Apuan ridge which, being oriented north/west to south/west, separates the Serchio valley from the coast of Versilia. The Apuan Alps are one of the most typical and unique mountain areas in Italy. Characterized by a harsh morphology, with deep valleys and steep slopes, within few miles, from the short flatland of Versilia or the bottom of the Serchio valley, ... ...The giddy, almost vertical, mountain walls, among which Pizzo d'Uccello, with its more than 800 metres' difference in height, stands out to the north, are mountaineers' and rock climbers' paradise. Thousands of excursionists flow every year to the tracks and huts spread all over the ridge. Known since time immemorial for the beauty of their marble, they are to be considered one of the utmost expressions of the karst phenomenon. Here are, actually, ...
giannit 03.10.2000
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For those coming from Lucca, it is the very first protected area along the way. The Natural Reserve of Botri ravine, actually, lies within the municipal territory of Bagni di Lucca, along the way flanking torrent Fegana from the trunk road no. 445 to Tereglio. The area includes the first part of two torrents (Marianna dn Rivellino) which flow deeply embedded into an extremely narrow canyon. Inside this canyon, you will find flowers arranged in strata, ... ...to the more and more tempered levels as you move upwards. The vegetation is arranged to follow the same peculiar microclimatic pattern: from ferns and moss, then, to primroses, columbines and catchflies. On the impassable walls builds its nest the golden eagle and, in the immediate vicinity of the canyon, there are typical Apennines' animals, such as deer, wild boars and small carnivores. All this often contrasts with the presence of man, who ventures ...
giannit 03.10.2000
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...the Apennines' ridge belonging to Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, where it borders on the Parco del Gigante in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Together with the latter, it forms a protected area of invaluable naturalistic value. On the opposite side opens up the Orecchiella Park, which lies completely within the Apennines' area. Comparatively limited in size (approximately 52 square kilometres), it is located at a level of 1,200 to 2,000 metres on the ... ...on the Parco del Gigante in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Together with the latter, it forms a protected area of invaluable naturalistic value. The Orecchiella Park is characterized by vast and luxuriant broadleaf woods, especially beech, making the most of the locally abundant waters. Over 1,700 metres, wide ridge grasslands open up and reach the highest levels. The heart of the protected area consists in three Natural reserves called "Pania di ...
giannit 03.10.2000
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As you get further away from the road flanking the river Serchio towards the valleys of torrent Freddana and Pedogna, you will enter the municipal territory of Pescaglia. Pescaglia was first mentioned in a ninth-century document. As early as the fourteenth century, it already had its own podesta and took part in the procession of Santa Croce di Lucca with a flowered candle. The village retains many traces of its mediaeval past; particularly noteworthy ... ...Solca", also called "Madonna of the Pebble", a very ancient fresco venerated in a little oratory north of the village. The present municipality includes some typical villages full of quite interesting Romanesque churches and towers: Fondagno, Gello (with a beautiful Romanesque belfry and an ancient baptismal basin font), Castel di Roggio, Convalle, Monsagrati (with an important Remanesque chuch) and, above all, Loppeglia, where you can admire the ...
giannit 02.10.2000
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~ ~ As any off you who have read my recent opinions are aware, the ‘mad cabbie’ and family spent this year’s summer holiday in the land of my birth, Scotland.
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Scorpio2 17.07.2001
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