Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
Encyclopedia
Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, often cited under its previous name, Abruzzo National Park) is an Italian national park founded in 1922. The majority of the park is located in the Abruzzo
region though it is not constrained by regional boundaries and also includes territory in Lazio and Molise
. The park headquarters are in Pescasseroli
in the Province of L'Aquila
. The park currently includes 506.82 km² (195.7 sq mi).
The oldest in the Apennines
, with an important role in the preservation of species such as the Italian Wolf, chamois
and Marsican Brown Bear
, the park is around two thirds beech
forest
though many other tree
s grow in the area including the Silver Birch
and Black
and Mountain pine
s. Other characteristic fauna
of the park are roe deer
, wild boar and the White-backed Woodpecker
.
thanks to the work of Erminio Sipari
, environmentalist, member of Italian Parliament and cousin of Benedetto Croce
. Between the months of October and November 1921, the municipality of Opi
leased 5 square kilometres of land to a private federation with the aim of protecting flora
and fauna
and Sipari founded in Rome
an organization to administer the reserve. So the Park was founded on september 1922. Over the next few years the territory of the park expanded into neighbouring municipalities until it covered around 120 km² by 1923, when protection was enshrined in law. A period of intense activity followed and the park had further expanded to around 300 km² when it was abolished by the Fascist
government in 1933.
Re-establishment of the park in 1950 coincided with a period of financial difficulty, followed by a building boom which saw more than 12,000 trees felled for the construction of houses, roads and ski
tracks. A reorganisation of the park management at the end of the sixties
heralded better times and by 1976 further expansion, to 400 km², followed at the request of villages in neighbouring Molise
, that were convinced by the economic benefits of the park. Today, at 500 km², the area of the park is 100 times larger than the original reserve.
. The Sangro River
rises, near Devil's Pass, and runs south-east through the artificial Lago di Barrea before leaving the park and turning to the north-east. Other rivers in the park are the Giovenco, Malfa and Volturno. Other lakes are Vivo, Pantaniello, Scanno, Montagna Spaccata, Castel San Vincenzo, Grottacampanaro, and Selva di Cardito.
and the Italian Wolf. While official figures report 70-100 bears in this genetically isolated population, the declining population is actually estimated at closer to 30. The shift from local agriculture to development in Abruzzo (including a controversial proposed ski resort) and poaching, threaten the remaining small population. While Wolves were once rarer (as low as 40), numbers have reportedly rebounded in recent years.
The elusive Eurasian Lynx
is present in the park, very rarely seen but heard calling.
In greater numbers, though no easier to spot, are Red Deer
and Roe Deer
, and the reintroduced Wild Boar, which live in the thicker areas of the forest. Other reclusive inhabitants of the forest include the Polecat
, the Badger
, the Otter
and two species of marten, the Pine Marten
and the Beech Marten
. Higher, above the forest, Chamois
live alone or in small groups.
Animals that are easier to see include Red Fox
, the Mountain Hare
, the Least Weasel
, the European Mole
, and the Western European Hedgehog. Dormice
and Red Squirrel
s are also quite frequently seen. Other mammals recorded in the park are the Snow Vole
, the Edible Dormouse
, the Wildcat
and an introduced species the Crested Porcupine
whose quills may be seen on paths.
which, despite living in the more inaccessible regions, can often be seen soaring over central areas of the park in search of prey such as small mammals or even sick, young chamois. Other raptors that reside within the park include Goshawks, Peregrine Falcon
s, Eurasian Buzzards, Kestrels and Eurasian Sparrowhawks. Less visible, but perhaps more audible, to the nighttime visitor are several species of owl, the Little Owl
, the Barn Owl
and the Tawny Owl
.
Woodland birds include the European Green Woodpecker and the rare White-backed Woodpecker
, cliffs harbour the Red-billed Chough
and Alpine Chough
and bare mountain birds include the Rock Partridge
and White-winged Snowfinch
. Streams provide habitat for the Grey Wagtail
and White-throated Dipper
.
s, algae or fungi
. Flower
s present in the area include gentian
, primrose
, cyclamen
, violets and the lily
. The most well-known flower of the Park is the rare lady's slipper
(Cypripedium calceolus), a yellow and black orchid.
The predominant tree of the park is the beech
which covers 60% of the area, generally grows at 900-1800 m altitude and provides a stunning display of colour throughout the whole year. Other notable trees are the Black Pine
, the Mountain Pine
and the Silver Birch
.
Province of L'Aquila
:
Province of Frosinone
:
Provincia of Isernia
:
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
region though it is not constrained by regional boundaries and also includes territory in Lazio and Molise
Molise
Molise is a region of Southern Italy, the second smallest of the regions. It was formerly part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise and now a separate entity...
. The park headquarters are in Pescasseroli
Pescasseroli
Pescasseroli is a town and comune in the province of L'Aquila, in Southern Abruzzo, central Italy.A summer and winter resort, it is today the headquarters of the Abruzzo National Park. It is located in the heart of the Monti Marsicani....
in the Province of L'Aquila
Province of L'Aquila
thumb|left|200px|Map of the province.The Province of L'Aquila is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region...
. The park currently includes 506.82 km² (195.7 sq mi).
The oldest in the Apennines
Apennine mountains
The Apennines or Apennine Mountains or Greek oros but just as often used alone as a noun. The ancient Greeks and Romans typically but not always used "mountain" in the singular to mean one or a range; thus, "the Apennine mountain" refers to the entire chain and is translated "the Apennine...
, with an important role in the preservation of species such as the Italian Wolf, chamois
Chamois
The chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
and Marsican Brown Bear
Marsican Brown Bear
The Marsican Brown Bear , also known as Apennine brown bear, is a highly threatened, unrecognized subspecies of the Brown bear, with a range restricted to Abruzzo National Park and perhaps the Montagne del Morrone in Italy...
, the park is around two thirds beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
though many other tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s grow in the area including the Silver Birch
Silver Birch
Betula pendula is a widespread European birch, though in southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into southwest Asia in the mountains of northern Turkey and the Caucasus...
and Black
Black Pine
Several trees are referred to as black pine:* The European Black Pine.* The Japanese Black Pine.* The Jeffrey Pine in North America.* Matai, a New Zealand conifer.* Miro, also a New Zealand conifer.The band The Black Pine...
and Mountain pine
Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo, the Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine, is a high-altitude European pine, found in the Pyrenees, Alps, Erzgebirge, Carpathians, northern Apennines and Balkan Peninsula mountains from 1,000 m to 2,200 m, occasionally as low as 200 m in the north of the range in Germany and Poland, and as high...
s. Other characteristic fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
of the park are roe deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, wild boar and the White-backed Woodpecker
White-backed Woodpecker
The White-backed Woodpecker is a Eurasian woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos.It is the largest of the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic, 24–26 cm long with wing-span 38–40 cm and has plumage similar to the Great Spotted Woodpecker, but with white bars across the...
.
History
The idea for the Abruzzo National Park arose in the years following World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
thanks to the work of Erminio Sipari
Erminio Sipari
Erminio Sipari was an Italian politician and naturalist, author of studies on the preservation of nature and founder of Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, which he chaired from 1922 to 1933.-Biography:...
, environmentalist, member of Italian Parliament and cousin of Benedetto Croce
Benedetto Croce
Benedetto Croce was an Italian idealist philosopher, and occasionally also politician. He wrote on numerous topics, including philosophy, history, methodology of history writing and aesthetics, and was a prominent liberal, although he opposed laissez-faire free trade...
. Between the months of October and November 1921, the municipality of Opi
OPI
OPI may refer to:* OPI Nail Polish, a nail beauty product brand* Oremus Pro Invicem from the Latin, Let us Pray for each other * Open Payment Initiative* Over the phone interpreting* Oral Proficiency Interview...
leased 5 square kilometres of land to a private federation with the aim of protecting flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
and Sipari founded in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
an organization to administer the reserve. So the Park was founded on september 1922. Over the next few years the territory of the park expanded into neighbouring municipalities until it covered around 120 km² by 1923, when protection was enshrined in law. A period of intense activity followed and the park had further expanded to around 300 km² when it was abolished by the Fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
government in 1933.
Re-establishment of the park in 1950 coincided with a period of financial difficulty, followed by a building boom which saw more than 12,000 trees felled for the construction of houses, roads and ski
Ski
A ski is a long, flat device worn on the foot, usually attached through a boot, designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow. Originally intended as an aid to travel in snowy regions, they are now mainly used for recreational and sporting purposes...
tracks. A reorganisation of the park management at the end of the sixties
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
heralded better times and by 1976 further expansion, to 400 km², followed at the request of villages in neighbouring Molise
Molise
Molise is a region of Southern Italy, the second smallest of the regions. It was formerly part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise and now a separate entity...
, that were convinced by the economic benefits of the park. Today, at 500 km², the area of the park is 100 times larger than the original reserve.
Geography
The mountains within the park are Petroso (2,249 metres), Marsicano (2,245 metres), Meta (2,242 metres), Tartaro (2,191 metres), Jamiccio (2,074 metres), Cavallo (2,039 metres), Palombo (2,013 metres). These are included in the Monti della MetaMonti della Meta
The Monti della Meta are a massif of central Italy located around the junction point of the boundaries between the regions of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise. The major of three massifs of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, they take their name from one of the peaks, Monte Meta...
. The Sangro River
Sangro River
The Sangro is a river in eastern central Italy, known in ancient times as Sagrus from the Greek Sagros or Isagros, Ισαγρος....
rises, near Devil's Pass, and runs south-east through the artificial Lago di Barrea before leaving the park and turning to the north-east. Other rivers in the park are the Giovenco, Malfa and Volturno. Other lakes are Vivo, Pantaniello, Scanno, Montagna Spaccata, Castel San Vincenzo, Grottacampanaro, and Selva di Cardito.
Animals
In wildlife terms, the main attractions of the park are the Marsican Brown BearMarsican Brown Bear
The Marsican Brown Bear , also known as Apennine brown bear, is a highly threatened, unrecognized subspecies of the Brown bear, with a range restricted to Abruzzo National Park and perhaps the Montagne del Morrone in Italy...
and the Italian Wolf. While official figures report 70-100 bears in this genetically isolated population, the declining population is actually estimated at closer to 30. The shift from local agriculture to development in Abruzzo (including a controversial proposed ski resort) and poaching, threaten the remaining small population. While Wolves were once rarer (as low as 40), numbers have reportedly rebounded in recent years.
The elusive Eurasian Lynx
Eurasian Lynx
The Eurasian lynx is a medium-sized cat native to European and Siberian forests, South Asia and East Asia. It is also known as the European lynx, common lynx, the northern lynx, and the Siberian or Russian lynx...
is present in the park, very rarely seen but heard calling.
In greater numbers, though no easier to spot, are Red Deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
and Roe Deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, and the reintroduced Wild Boar, which live in the thicker areas of the forest. Other reclusive inhabitants of the forest include the Polecat
European polecat
The European polecat , also known as the black or forest polecat , is a species of Mustelid native to western Eurasia and North Africa, which is classed by the IUCN as Least Concern due to its wide range and large numbers. It is of a generally dark brown colour, with a pale underbelly and a dark...
, the Badger
Eurasian Badger
The European Badger is a species of badger of the genus Meles, native to almost all of Europe. It is classed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and large population....
, the Otter
European Otter
The European Otter , also known as the Eurasian otter, Eurasian river otter, common otter and Old World otter, is a European and Asian member of the Lutrinae or otter subfamily, and is typical of freshwater otters....
and two species of marten, the Pine Marten
Pine Marten
The European Pine Marten , known most commonly as the pine marten in Anglophone Europe, and less commonly also known as Pineten, baum marten, or sweet marten, is an animal native to Northern Europe belonging to the mustelid family, which also includes mink, otter, badger, wolverine and weasel. It...
and the Beech Marten
Beech Marten
The beech marten , also known as the stone marten or white breasted marten, is a species of marten native to much of Europe and Central Asia, though it has established a feral population in North America. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN on account of its wide distribution, its large...
. Higher, above the forest, Chamois
Chamois
The chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
live alone or in small groups.
Animals that are easier to see include Red Fox
Red Fox
The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia...
, the Mountain Hare
Mountain Hare
The Mountain Hare , also known as Blue Hare, Tundra Hare, Variable Hare, White Hare, Alpine Hare and Irish Hare, is a hare, which is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats. It is distributed from Fennoscandia to eastern Siberia; in addition there are isolated populations in the Alps,...
, the Least Weasel
Least Weasel
The least weasel is the smallest member of the Mustelidae , native to Eurasia, North America and North Africa, though it has been introduced elsewhere. It is classed as Least Concern by the IUCN, due to its wide distribution and presumably large population...
, the European Mole
European Mole
The European Mole, Talpa europaea, is a mammal of the order Soricomorpha. It is also known as the Common Mole and the Northern Mole....
, and the Western European Hedgehog. Dormice
Hazel Dormouse
The Hazel Dormouse or Common Dormouse is a small mammal and the only living species in the genus Muscardinus....
and Red Squirrel
Red Squirrel
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia...
s are also quite frequently seen. Other mammals recorded in the park are the Snow Vole
European Snow Vole
The European Snow Vole or Snow Vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.-Description:...
, the Edible Dormouse
Edible dormouse
The edible dormouse or fat dormouse is a large dormouse and the only living species in the genus Glis.-Description:...
, the Wildcat
Wildcat
Wildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
and an introduced species the Crested Porcupine
Crested Porcupine
The crested porcupine is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family.It is extant in mainland Italy, Sicily, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.-Physical Attributes:...
whose quills may be seen on paths.
Birds
Many bird of prey inhabit the park. Most notable amongst them is the Golden EagleGolden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
which, despite living in the more inaccessible regions, can often be seen soaring over central areas of the park in search of prey such as small mammals or even sick, young chamois. Other raptors that reside within the park include Goshawks, Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
s, Eurasian Buzzards, Kestrels and Eurasian Sparrowhawks. Less visible, but perhaps more audible, to the nighttime visitor are several species of owl, the Little Owl
Little Owl
The Little Owl is a bird which is resident in much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, Asia east to Korea, and north Africa. It is not native to Great Britain, but was first introduced in 1842, and is now naturalised there...
, the Barn Owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
and the Tawny Owl
Tawny Owl
The Tawny Owl or Brown Owl is a stocky, medium-sized owl commonly found in woodlands across much of Eurasia. Its underparts are pale with dark streaks, and the upperparts are either brown or grey. Several of the eleven recognised subspecies have both variants...
.
Woodland birds include the European Green Woodpecker and the rare White-backed Woodpecker
White-backed Woodpecker
The White-backed Woodpecker is a Eurasian woodpecker belonging to the genus Dendrocopos.It is the largest of the spotted woodpeckers in the western Palearctic, 24–26 cm long with wing-span 38–40 cm and has plumage similar to the Great Spotted Woodpecker, but with white bars across the...
, cliffs harbour the Red-billed Chough
Red-billed Chough
The Red-billed Chough or Chough , Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, is a bird in the crow family; it is one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax...
and Alpine Chough
Alpine Chough
The Alpine Chough , or Yellow-billed Chough, is a bird in the crow family, one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax. Its two subspecies breed in high mountains from Spain east through southern Europe and North Africa to Central Asia, India and China, and it may nest at a higher altitude...
and bare mountain birds include the Rock Partridge
Rock Partridge
The Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.This partridge has its main range in southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe, and is closely related and very similar to its eastern equivalent, the Chukar...
and White-winged Snowfinch
White-winged Snowfinch
The White-winged Snowfinch , or just Snowfinch, is a small passerine bird. Despite its name, it is a sparrow rather than a true finch.-Distribution and habitat:...
. Streams provide habitat for the Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
The Grey Wagtail is a small member of the wagtail family, Motacillidae. The species looks similar to the Yellow Wagtail but has the yellow on its underside restricted to the throat and vent. Breeding males have a black throat...
and White-throated Dipper
White-throated Dipper
The White-throated Dipper , also known as the European Dipper or just Dipper is an aquatic passerine bird found in Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The species is divided into several subspecies, based primarily on colour differences, particularly of the pectoral band...
.
Plants
The flora of the park is rich and interesting. A comprehensive list of plants would extend to more than 2,000 species without including lichenLichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s, algae or fungi
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
. Flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s present in the area include gentian
Gentian
Gentiana is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Gentian family , tribe Gentianeae and monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species, it is considered a large genus.-Habitat:...
, primrose
Primrose
-Botany:* Primulaceae, a family of flowering plants* Primula vulgaris, commonly known as the Primrose * Oenothera, commonly known as Evening Primrose, a plant genus...
, cyclamen
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is a genus of 23 species of perennials growing from tubers, valued for their flowers with upswept petals and variably patterned leaves...
, violets and the lily
Liliaceae
The Liliaceae, or the lily family, is a family of monocotyledons in the order Liliales. Plants in this family have linear leaves, mostly with parallel veins but with several having net venation , and flower arranged in threes. Several have bulbs, while others have rhizomes...
. The most well-known flower of the Park is the rare lady's slipper
Lady's Slipper
Lady's slipper orchids, lady slipper orchids or slipper orchids are the orchids in the subfamily Cypripedioidea, which includes the genera Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium...
(Cypripedium calceolus), a yellow and black orchid.
The predominant tree of the park is the beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
which covers 60% of the area, generally grows at 900-1800 m altitude and provides a stunning display of colour throughout the whole year. Other notable trees are the Black Pine
Black Pine
Several trees are referred to as black pine:* The European Black Pine.* The Japanese Black Pine.* The Jeffrey Pine in North America.* Matai, a New Zealand conifer.* Miro, also a New Zealand conifer.The band The Black Pine...
, the Mountain Pine
Mountain Pine
Pinus mugo, the Mountain Pine or Mugo Pine, is a high-altitude European pine, found in the Pyrenees, Alps, Erzgebirge, Carpathians, northern Apennines and Balkan Peninsula mountains from 1,000 m to 2,200 m, occasionally as low as 200 m in the north of the range in Germany and Poland, and as high...
and the Silver Birch
Silver Birch
Betula pendula is a widespread European birch, though in southern Europe it is only found at higher altitudes. Its range extends into southwest Asia in the mountains of northern Turkey and the Caucasus...
.
Municipalities
The park covers 25 municipalities, distributed across 3 provinces.Province of L'Aquila
L'Aquila
L'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
:
- AlfedenaAlfedenaAlfedena is a comune in the province of L'Aquila of the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in the upper Sangro valley, near the Monti della Meta mountain chain....
, BarreaBarreaBarrea is a comune in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy.It is located on the shore of the Lake of Barrea, a lake created after World War II due to the building of a dam on the River Sangro.-History:...
, BisegnaBisegnaBisegna is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy....
, Civitella AlfedenaCivitella AlfedenaCivitella Alfedena is a small town and comune in the province of L'Aquila . It is located in the heart of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise.- Main sights:...
, Gioia dei MarsiGioia dei MarsiGioia dei Marsi is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy....
, Lecce nei MarsiLecce nei MarsiLecce nei Marsi is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy...
, Opi, Ortona dei MarsiOrtona dei MarsiOrtona dei Marsi is a comune and town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is included in the Marsica traditional area....
, PescasseroliPescasseroliPescasseroli is a town and comune in the province of L'Aquila, in Southern Abruzzo, central Italy.A summer and winter resort, it is today the headquarters of the Abruzzo National Park. It is located in the heart of the Monti Marsicani....
, Scanno, VillavallelongaVillavallelongaVillavallelonga is a village and comune in the Abruzzo region in Italy. A part of Marsica traditional area, it has a population of about 1,000 inhabitants....
, Villetta BarreaVilletta BarreaVilletta Barrea is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy...
Province of Frosinone
Frosinone
Frosinone is a town and comune in Lazio, central Italy, the administrative seat of the Province of Frosinone. It is located about 75 km south-east of Rome close to the Rome-Naples Autostrada A1...
:
- Alvito, Campoli AppenninoCampoli AppenninoCampoli Appennino is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 100 km east of Rome and about 30 km northeast of Frosinone...
, PescosolidoPescosolidoPescosolido is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 100 km east of Rome and about 30 km northeast of Frosinone....
, PiciniscoPiciniscoPicinisco is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 120 km east of Rome and about 45 km east of Frosinone. It is included in the Valle di Comino and National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise....
, San Biagio SaraciniscoSan Biagio SaraciniscoSan Biagio Saracinisco is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 120 km east of Rome and about 50 km east of Frosinone...
, San Donato Val di CominoSan Donato Val di CominoSan Donato Val di Comino is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located in the Comino Valley about 110 km east of Rome and about 40 km east of Frosinone...
, SettefratiSettefratiSettefrati is a comune in the Province of Frosinone in the Italian region Lazio, located about 120 km east of Rome and about 40 km east of Frosinone.-Main sights:...
, VallerotondaVallerotondaVallerotonda is a town and comune in the region of Lazio in central Italy, in the province of Frosinone. The commune is situated on the Apennine Mountains and forms part of the Comino Valley.-Geography:...
Provincia of Isernia
Isernia
Isernia Isernia Isernia (Latin: Aesernia or, in Pliny and later writers, Eserninus, or in the Antonine Itinerary, Serni is a town and comune in the central Italian region of Molise, and the capital of Isernia province.- Geography :...
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- Castel San VincenzoCastel San VincenzoCastel San Vincenzo is a comune in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about 50 km west of Campobasso and about 15 km northwest of Isernia...
, FilignanoFilignanoFilignano is a comune in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about 50 km west of Campobasso and about 15 km southwest of Isernia...
, PizzonePizzone, ItalyPizzone is a comune in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about 50 km west of Campobasso and about 20 km northwest of Isernia near the Monti della Meta chain.-History:...
, Rocchetta a VolturnoRocchetta a VolturnoRocchetta a Volturno is a comune in the Province of Isernia in the Italian region Molise, located about 50 km west of Campobasso and about 13 km west of Isernia...
, ScapoliScapoliScapoli is a city and comune located in province of Isernia, which is part of the region of Molise, southern Italy.It is notable for its bagpipes museum and for the international bagpipe festival which, each year in the month of July, attracts pipers from around the world to come and perform in...
Activities
Many outdoor activities are possible within the park including,- Horse riding
- Trekking
- CyclingCyclingCycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
- CanoeingCanoeingCanoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
- Bird watching
- Alpine skiingAlpine skiingAlpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
- Cross-country skiingCross-country skiingCross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
See also
- Monti della MetaMonti della MetaThe Monti della Meta are a massif of central Italy located around the junction point of the boundaries between the regions of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise. The major of three massifs of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, they take their name from one of the peaks, Monte Meta...
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes