Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park
Encyclopedia
The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is a natural park in Italy
, which was established in 1991. It has an area of 2,014 square kilometres. The terrain is predominantly mountainous.
It is managed by Ente Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, with headquarters in Assergi, in the Province of L'Aquila
.
The Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
runs through the park between the Gran Sasso mountain peak and the chain known as Monti della Laga
.
. On the east side, from Teramo, there is the majestic "Paretone" which is a part of the central Adriatic landscape. It is the kingdom of perennial snow, rocks and wind. On the north there is the profile of Monti della Laga chain, where thousands of migratory birds stop on the shores of Lake Campotosto
. This area is completely covered by woods of beeches, firs, turkey oaks and chestnuts. There are over 200 kilometres of horse trails which can be used to visit the park.
Many species of wildlife inhabit the park, including rare animals such as the Abruzzo Chamois
, as well as wolves, roe deer, wildcats, wild boars, foxes and squirrels
. Notable birds include the Golden Eagle
, the White-backed Woodpecker
, the goshawk, the Common Buzzard
and the peregrine
. There are also insects, such as the Apollo Butterfly
.
Many outdoor activities are possible within the park including:
Educational projects are active in the park visitor centres, trails and paths can be freely explored also with the assistance of mountain guides.
Each village deserves exploration to meet the real people and enjoy Abruzzo's proverbial hospitality, discover genuine traditions and wonderful regional products.
Almost all of the park's inland settlements date back to at least the Middle Ages but many are older, fonded in the Italic-Roman period. In many cases, the place name highlights the defensive nature of the settlement and a summit position: Castel, Rocca
, Pizzo, Penna, Colle (castle, keep, peak, crest and hill).
Barete
, Barisciano
, Cagnano Amiterno
, Calascio
, Campotosto
, Capestrano
, Capitignano
, Carapelle Calvisio
, Castel del Monte
, Castelvecchio Calvisio
, L'Aquila
, Montereale
, Ofena
, Pizzoli
, Santo Stefano di Sessanio
, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi
Acquasanta Terme
, Arquata del Tronto
Brittoli
, Bussi sul Tirino
, Carpineto della Nora
, Castiglione a Casauria
, Civitella Casanova
, Corvara
, Farindola
, Montebello di Bertona
, Pescosansonesco
, Villa Celiera
Accumoli
, Amatrice
Arsita
, Campli
, Castelli, Civitella del Tronto
, Cortino
, Crognaleto
, Fano Adriano
, Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, Montorio al Vomano
, Pietracamela
, Rocca Santa Maria
, Torricella Sicura
, Tossicia
, Valle Castellana
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which was established in 1991. It has an area of 2,014 square kilometres. The terrain is predominantly mountainous.
It is managed by Ente Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, with headquarters in Assergi, 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 Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
The Grand Highway of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is located in the Abruzzo Region of Italy. Located along the tract of land from Montorio al Vomano to Amiternum, the road stands as the most enchanting portion of the old thoroughfare connecting the provincial capitals of...
runs through the park between the Gran Sasso mountain peak and the chain known as Monti della Laga
Monti della Laga
Monti della Laga is a mountain range in the central Apennines, Italy. Their ruggedness and inaccessibility makes them one of the lesser known areas of the Italian peninsula.-Geography:...
.
Geography
The park is one of the largest protected areas in Europe, the show-piece being the massif of Gran Sasso, which dominates the surrounding landscape; it rises vertically on the immense pastures of Campo ImperatoreCampo Imperatore
Campo Imperatore is a mountain grassland or alpine meadow formed by a high basin shaped plateau located in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy in the Gran Sasso massif. It is the largest plateau of the Apennine ridge...
. On the east side, from Teramo, there is the majestic "Paretone" which is a part of the central Adriatic landscape. It is the kingdom of perennial snow, rocks and wind. On the north there is the profile of Monti della Laga chain, where thousands of migratory birds stop on the shores of Lake Campotosto
Lake Campotosto
Lake Campotosto is a man-made lake in the Abruzzo, Italy. The reservoir is located at an elevation of 1,313 m and comprises an area of 14 square kilometres. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".The lake is reachable via the Italian State...
. This area is completely covered by woods of beeches, firs, turkey oaks and chestnuts. There are over 200 kilometres of horse trails which can be used to visit the park.
Nature and wildlife
The park contains one of the most biologically diverse areas of Europe. The climate is borderline between that of the Mediterranean and that of Europe. The park contains more than two thousand plant and vegetable species, some of which are found exclusively in this area, such as Abruzzo Edelweiss, as well as fauna which are equally precious.Many species of wildlife inhabit the park, including rare animals such as the Abruzzo 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...
, as well as wolves, roe deer, wildcats, wild boars, foxes and squirrels
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
. Notable birds include the Golden Eagle
Golden 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...
, 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...
, the goshawk, the Common Buzzard
Common Buzzard
The Common Buzzard is a medium to large bird of prey, whose range covers most of Europe and extends into Asia. It is usually resident all year, except in the coldest parts of its range, and in the case of one subspecies.-Description:...
and the peregrine
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"...
. There are also insects, such as the Apollo Butterfly
Apollo (butterfly)
The Apollo or Mountain Apollo , is a butterfly of the Papilionidae family.-Distribution and status:It is found on mountains in Europe usually above up to , preferring flowery meadows and mountain pastures...
.
Attractions
The park contains a very long circuit of approximately 300 km, featuring trails that can be visited on horseback, by mountain bike, or on foot.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...
Educational projects are active in the park visitor centres, trails and paths can be freely explored also with the assistance of mountain guides.
Settlements
The villages of the park are tiny towns with close-knit stone and brick houses, joined by the rise and fall of narrow lanes, their solid wood doors set under architraves carved with bearings and dates of many centuries past.Each village deserves exploration to meet the real people and enjoy Abruzzo's proverbial hospitality, discover genuine traditions and wonderful regional products.
Almost all of the park's inland settlements date back to at least the Middle Ages but many are older, fonded in the Italic-Roman period. In many cases, the place name highlights the defensive nature of the settlement and a summit position: Castel, Rocca
Rocca (architecture)
Rocca is an Italian term meaning a high, fortifiable stronghold, usually located in smaller towns, beneath or on which the village or town clustered, within which its inhabitants might take refuge at times of trouble; under its owners' patronage the settlement might hope to find prosperity in...
, Pizzo, Penna, Colle (castle, keep, peak, crest and hill).
- Province of L'AquilaProvince of L'Aquilathumb|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...
Barete
Barete
Barete is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Barisciano
Barisciano
Barisciano is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Cagnano Amiterno
Cagnano Amiterno
Cagnano Amiterno is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Calascio
Calascio
Calascio is a comune and village in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.The main attraction is the ruined Rocca Calascio....
, Campotosto
Campotosto
Campotosto is a comune and town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park....
, Capestrano
Capestrano
Capestrano is a comune and small town with 965 inhabitants , in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Antiquity:...
, Capitignano
Capitignano
Capitignano is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Carapelle Calvisio
Carapelle Calvisio
Carapelle Calvisio is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park" at 900 a.s.l.. It's mostly known as being one the smallest non-alpine comune in Italy, with only 90...
, Castel del Monte
Castel del Monte (AQ)
Castel del Monte is a medieval and Renaissance hill town and comune in the province of L'Aquila in northern Abruzzo, Italy. Located in the heart of Gran Sasso mountain range, the town is set into a steep hillside nestled beneath mountain peaks near the high plain of Campo Imperatore...
, Castelvecchio Calvisio
Castelvecchio Calvisio
Castelvecchio Calvisio is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, 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...
, Montereale
Montereale (AQ)
Montereale is a comune and town in the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-See also:*1703 Apennine earthquakes...
, Ofena
Ofena
Ofena is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Pizzoli
Pizzoli
Pizzoli is a comune and town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a comune and hill town in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Located in an Italian national park, the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park,in the highest region of the Apennines, this medieval hill town sits adjacent to the high plain of...
, Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi
Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi
Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi is a little comune and town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.-External links:**...
- Province of Ascoli PicenoProvince of Ascoli PicenoThe Province of Ascoli Piceno is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Ascoli Piceno.It has an area of 1,228 km², and a total population of 212,846 . There are 33 comuni in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Ascoli Piceno.-External links:**...
Acquasanta Terme
Acquasanta Terme
Acquasanta Terme is a comune in the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Italian region Marche, located about 90 km south of Ancona and about 15 km southwest of Ascoli Piceno...
, Arquata del Tronto
Arquata del Tronto
Arquata del Tronto is a comune in the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Italian region Marche, located about 100 km south of Ancona and about 25 km southwest of Ascoli Piceno...
- Province of PescaraProvince of PescaraThe Province of Pescara is a province in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Pescara.It has an area of 1,225 km², and a total population of 295,463 . There are 46 comunes in the province. At May 31, 2005, the main communes by population are:For a complete list, see Comunes of...
Brittoli
Brittoli
Brittoli is a comune and town in the Province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Bussi sul Tirino
Bussi sul Tirino
Bussi sul Tirino is a comune and town in the Province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Carpineto della Nora
Carpineto della Nora
Carpineto della Nora is a comune and town in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo region, Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park....
, Castiglione a Casauria
Castiglione a Casauria
Castiglione a Casauria is a comune and town in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Main sights:...
, Civitella Casanova
Civitella Casanova
Civitella Casanova is a comune and town in the Province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".The economy is mostly based on agriculture....
, Corvara
Corvara (PE)
Corvara is a comune and town in the Province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-History:...
, Farindola
Farindola
Farindola is a comune and town in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park....
, Montebello di Bertona
Montebello di Bertona
Montebello di Bertona is a comune and town in the province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Pescosansonesco
Pescosansonesco
Pescosansonesco is a comune and town in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located at 500 m above sea level in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Villa Celiera
Villa Celiera
Villa Celiera is a comune and town in the province of Pescara in the Abruzzo region of Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.The economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry....
- Province of RietiProvince of RietiThe Province of Rieti is a province in the Lazio region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Rieti.It has an area of 2,749 km², and a total population of 153,258 . There are 73 comuni in the province, see Comuni of the Province of Rieti.It was founded in 1927.-External links:*...
Accumoli
Accumoli
Accumoli is a comune in the Province of Rieti in the Italian region Latium, located about 110 km northeast of Rome and about 45 km northeast of Rieti...
, Amatrice
Amatrice
Amatrice is a town and comune in the province of Rieti, in northern Lazio . The city is seat of the food-agricultural base of "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-History:...
- Province of TeramoProvince of TeramoThe Province of Teramo is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Teramo. The province has an area of 1,948 km², a population of 296,063 , and is subdivided into 47 comunes , see Comunes of the Province of Teramo...
Arsita
Arsita
Arsita is a medieval town and comune in Province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Geography:...
, Campli
Campli
Campli is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.-Geography:...
, Castelli, Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto
Civitella del Tronto is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, within the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.-History:...
, Cortino
Cortino
Cortino is a small town and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo in the Province of Teramo. It is located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.The major part of the population lives in small hamlets dotting the comune...
, Crognaleto
Crognaleto
Crognaleto is a comune and city of slightly less than two thousand people located in the Province of Teramo, central Italy. Crognaleto sits at an altitude of 1105 meters and has it communal administrative offices in the frazione of Nerito...
, Fano Adriano
Fano Adriano
Fano Adriano is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, part of the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, Montorio al Vomano
Montorio al Vomano
Montorio al Vomano is a town and comune in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Geography:...
, Pietracamela
Pietracamela
Pietracamela is a town and comune in Teramo province in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located at the feet of the Gran Sasso massif, in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Rocca Santa Maria
Rocca Santa Maria
Rocca Santa Maria is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, Abruzzo, eastern Italy. It is located in the nGran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park.The municipal seat is in the frazione of Imposte....
, Torricella Sicura
Torricella Sicura
Torricella Sicura is a town and comune in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park".-Geography:...
, Tossicia
Tossicia
Tossicia is a town and comune in Teramo province in the Abruzzo region of eastern Italy. It is located in the natural park known as the "Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park"....
, Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana
Valle Castellana is a village and comune in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. It is a member of the Italian community of surrounding mountain villages, Monti della Laga...
.
External links
- Institutional Site (italian)
- The National Park of the Gran Sasso
- Abruzzo by the Park Authority on Parks.it (italian)