NATURAL RESERVES IN THE MARCHES (ITALY)

The parks of the Marches

The protected areas of the Marches cover about the 8% of the entire territory. They include:

  two National Parks: 1. Sibillini Mountains 2. Gran Sasso and Mountains of the Lega

  four Regional Parks: 1. Conero Mountain 2. Sasso Simone and Simoncello 3. San Bartolo Mountain 4. Gola della Rossa and Frasassi

  three Natural Reserves: 1. Torricchio Mountain 2. Abbadia di Fiastra 3. Gola del Furlo

Besides the above, there are also some oases, such as: Ripa Bianca Oasis of Jesi and Bosco Oasis of Frasassi, which belong to WWF. In addition to these, our region protects other areas in order to preserve the territory and its protected species.

NATURAL RESERVES

ABBADIA DI FIASTRA

It’s situated in the province of Macerata and includes the towns of Tolentino and Urbisaglia. It belongs to the Giustiniani Bandini Foundation. The Abbazia Cistercense of Fiastra was built at the beginning of the XII century. It became immediately a centre of economic and cultural activities. The natural environment is composed of three areas: the cultivated landscape, the rivers and the Selva, which is a wood. The main purpose is to conserve the nature and the protected species. Besides, young and adult people can visit the reserve to learn the importance of the monasticism and the medieval society.

TORRICCHIO

It’s situated in the province of Macerata and includes the towns of Montecavallo, Pievetorina and Visso. It’s the first protected area in the Marches, given by the WWF’s president. It belongs to Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano and it’s situated between two mountains. The University of Camerino maintains this reserve in order to preserve the environment with its protected species. Schools can use their educational resources because there’s a cooperation between the natural centre and the University.

GOLA DEL FURLO

It’s situated in the province of Pesaro-Urbino and includes the towns of Acqualagna, Cagli, Fossombrone, Fermignano and Urbino. The province of Pesaro-Urbino and SADAF manage this area. Etruscans and Romans went by Gola del Furlo and they built imposing works. Emperor Vespasiano made possible the “galleria grande” (forulus, so “Furlo”). Benito Mussolini visited this zone as well. The gorge of Condigliano River belongs to the reserve, too. The landscape is wonderful: the rocky faces rise for hundreds of metres, making a spectacular canyon.

by Debora Tobaldi and Fabio Possanzini Class 2°A