Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park is located in Italy. Very often you can also hear its first name - Abruzzo. This mountain reserve is located in the Appennines, and the amazing landscapes of this area have made it famous.
The vast territory of the park belongs to the province of L'Aquila, but some of it is located in Frosinone, as well as Isernia. That's why its name is three-digit: Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. The founder of the park is ecologist Erminio Cipari, who decided to combine and preserve the natural resources of this territory back in 1922. The total area of the reserve is within 496 km2.
There are mountain ranges on the territory of the park, among which Monti della Meta stands out for its size, with a height of 2,249 m. Various kinds of cliffs and karst formations transform the mountainous landscape of this area into an indescribable landscape. The Sangro River originates in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise nature reserves, and there are also many crystal lakes, including a large artificial one named Barrea.
The flora of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise parks is represented by forests dominated by oak, beech, several types of pine, as well as birch. There is a large variety of vegetation here, including mosses, fungi, lichens.
The fauna of the park can also boast of its diversity, because very rare animals are found on these lands. Bears, wolves, lynx, roe deer, hares, squirrels and many others roam the reserve. Various birds also build their nests in the wild, including owls, hawks, woodpeckers, and peregrine falcons.
The park administration focuses its efforts on the preservation of this territory, as well as attracting tourists. Huge playgrounds are open for visitors to the park, where outdoor enthusiasts enjoy cycling and skiing. There are many hiking trails, as well as various routes. Guests of the reserve are also happy to visit the museum, as well as the zoo. Tourists are very interested in the local cultural sites, which are not very numerous, among them are such centers as Pescasseroli, Opi, Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, Bisegna.
As a result of the fact that this area is isolated from other, more developed regions, there are traditions that have been preserved for centuries. These age–old customs include bull racing, as well as the ancient procession of snake spells - Cocullo.
Every year, one million tourists visit this Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise Nature Reserve.
