The Beauty of Nature in Italy

Asinara National Park is located on Asinara the second largest island in Sardinia. It is an amazing paradise with lots of untouched beaches and the water is crystal clear and sparkling. As lovely as this sounds this island was once known as ”Devil’s Island”. This was due to the fact that at one time it was a quarantine camp during WWI and became a high-security prison in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Asinara National Park was founded in 1997 in order to protect the natural habitats of species that are endangered. It has a delightful Mediterranean climate. There are rocky cliffs, small beaches, wide inlets and lots of fantastic views.

A great deal of the history of Asinara is unknown. Here you can find Neolithic tombs which are called domus de janas or fairy houses. These are dug out of rock and are proof that history stretches back at least as far as the Neolithic Era. From Medieval times there is the Sant Andrea Monastery and the Castellaccio on the Punta Maestro in Fornelli. There is a community of shepherds and fishermen near the town of Fornelli.

More than 700 specific and important plant species can be found here. Among the animals that make their home here are the Corsican red deer, osprey, Mediterranean monk seal and mouflon. Altogether there are 80 different species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can get to see rare animals such as the Albino donkey and pygmy Algryoides, Sardinian Barn Owls and Cirl buntings. The national park protects these species.

Among the places which are of special interest to visitors are the Fornelli area and it can be reached by sea or road. Here you can visit the prison that was built in the 19th century. There is a beautiful garden that was created by prisoners in the 1980s. There is La Reale once known as Lazzaretto and was the center that was used by ships to quarantine crews that were infected. The royal Savoia family at one time made many trips to the island. The entrance to Palazzo Real is well known for its amazing architecture and it is looked upon as the seat of the Asinara National Park.

There is also a most charming village Cala d’Olivia which has old-fashioned cobblestone streets. There is an old section and a new section where visitors can see larger buildings. In the center of the village is a small square with an old church. Visitors can get to know how the residents of this coastal Italian village lead their lives.

Gran Paradiso National Park

The Graian Alps are between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont regions. Gran Paradiso Mountain located in the park itself. At first, Gran Paradiso National Park protected the Alpine Ibex but it now also protects other species. All of the park’s mountains and valleys have been sculpted by glaciers and streams. At higher altitudes, you can delight in alpine meadows.

The Gran Paradiso is the only mountain that is totally within the borders of Italy. From the summit of the mountain, you can see Mount Blanc and the Matterhorn. Bordering this park is Vanoise National Park in France. The area which forms as a combination of both parks counts as the largest protected area in Western Europe and both parks co-operate in the managing of the ibex population as the animals move between both parks per season.

The two main kinds of woods in Gran Paradiso National Park are coniferous and deciduous. On the Piedmont side of the park, the most common are deciduous European beech forests. The forests are thick and dense. Other trees found here are larches, spruces, Swiss stone pines and silver firs. In the gulleys, one can find maple and lime forests and in the Aosta Valley area, there are downy oak woods. Alpine pastures can be seen at higher altitudes and they are full of flowers in late spring.

The wildflowers here include wild pansies, gentians, martagon lilies and Alpen roses. Inside the park, at Paradisia Botanical Garden near Cogne, there are around 1,500 plant species.

In the summer in the mountain pastures, visitors can see Alpine Ibex grazing. They descend to lower elevations in the winter. Other kinds of animals which can be found here include weasels, hares, ermines, Eurasian badgers, Alpine chamois and even wolves and lynx.

Gran Paradiso National Park is also home to over 100 bird species like Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Rock Ptarmigan, Alpine Accentor, and Chough. On the rocky ledges, you can see Golden Eagles nest and on the steep cliffs Wallcreepers. In the forests, there are Black Woodpeckers and Nutcrackers. The park also has lots of different kinds of species of butterflies.

The three most popular valleys in the park are Cogne, Valsavarenche and Val di Rhemes. For visitors, there are great hotels and nice campsites. Along the marked footpaths are some mountain shelters. For those who prefer to visit in the winter, there is good cross-country skiing.