 The fast urban lifestyles of the present race leaves no space for us to be loved and cared by mother nature and to allow her to exhibit the vast wonders of her storehouse. Thanks to the few heavens still left in the globe where we can reach serenity in the lap of Mother Nature. National park of the casentinesi forest is one among such destination. Established in 1993 the park has an approximate area of 36400 hectares and include provinces of Forli / Cesena, Arezzo and Firenze. Locationally it covers a wide stretch of territory that covers the border of Romagne and Toscana. The park holds the credit of being the best-preserved woods and forests in Italy. Slopes engulfing narrow valleys in between symbolize the part in Romagne. The Toscana part include part of the high valley of Valle dell’Arno whose springs are situated in the southern slopes of Monte Falterona.
The soul of the park resides in the Foreste Demaniali Casentinesi, which is preserved to the ancient code by its strict management so that the naturalistic essence is preserved in the form of its rich and diverse flora and fauna. Amidst the rich flora nests the diverse fauna of wolf, deer, roe deer, and golden eagle maintaining the tender ecological balance.
Although the entire park can be called as the feast for the senses there definitely are some specific points of interest, which can freeze the stare of visitors to its amazing beauty and nature. To start with the Acquacheta waterfall, which hurls down 70-meter drop originates from an ancient lake nearby the village of Romiti. The place witnesses the shelter of Dante during his exile from Florence. The nature trail named “La valle e la cascata di Dante” has a total length of route of 4.5 kilometer and can be visited best between April to June and September to November. Wandering the beautiful village of Ridracoli one may come across the beautifully preserved humpbacked bridge. Following the valley upwards one can venture into remains of medieval castles and dams. The interesting point is the basin of the dam which has in its robe hidden little valleys marked by alternate strips of arenaceous outcrop and land covered by trees. In the periphery of the nature trail Alberi e bosco the Camaldoli Monastery is to appreciate not only of its centuries old origin but also for the fact of the existence of sixteenth century printing house honored for the Costituzioni Camaldolesi guiding the rules of the forest management. Also to relish are the paintings of Vasari in the church of St.Donnino and Ilariano. The feast of wonders of nature and history continues as one venture into the Casentinesi forest with its beautiful woods and the relation of mankind for ages.
One of the Pilgrim’s paradises is situated in the steep southern wall of Mt.Penna in the form of the famous Franciscan sanctuary, the place in the wood where the saint spent the greatest part of hermit’s life. Nature has shaped the morphology into various curves and depths of beauty with its ravines and natural cavities opening up below the shadows of majestic maples, ashes, elms and beeches. This is the same place where the famous September 1224 miracle of stigmata took place, which was also recalled by Dante. Adding feathers to the cap is the eighteenth century hunting residence of the Lorena family of the past century – the grand ducal palace that later took the shape of a hotel. Moving to the east one witness the main mountain group of the park, the Apennine ridge. Out of various ways and paths the best path to scale up and reach the zenith of the ridge is the one leaving from the small village of Castagno d’Andrea. The existence of the voluptuous spring in the southern slopes of Mt.Falterona by the name of Capo d’Arno marks the main watercourse of Tuscany and its origin. Moving eastward to the location you can see the spectacular sight of the grassy depression of Lago degli Idoli that also witness lots of archeological endeavors of excavation and the discoveries of Etruscan statuettes.
One of the most important features of the park is the various events and activities organized to involve the visitors resulting an unforgettable, mind-boggling experience to be bookmarked for the rest of the life. With events like egg festivals comprising of egg battering contest and national hard-boiled eggs eater contest, the medieval costume parade, the guided hikes in various nature trails comprising of games, bon fires, fairy tales and jungle surprises, the mushroom gathering, night hikes and short trips to various places of pilgrimage importance it’s a bonanza for the travelers and the visitors visiting the park.
The greenest park in Italy thus is the place of serenity and nirvana for those who can venture into its vast expanse of woods and experience the true nature and the relationship between man and nature. Words cannot further continue your journey to this exotic park for the feel of Mother Nature can only be felt in her arms and the journey of its creations is much beyond the imagination to be gathered from the words. The nostalgia of the place and the people, of the journeys by carriage, the delicious medieval cuisine, and the treks in the woods, the mystic flora and fauna will catch you to persist through out your life. |
