Parks and reserves on Monte Amiata

(Monte Labbro from Parco Faunistico)

The mountain, covered with chestnut groves and beech woods, is the green heart of southern Tuscany . Surrounded by the Monte Labbro and Civitella massifs, Amiata supplies crystal clear water to Siena and Grosseto , to the Orcia valley and the Maremma plains. The mountain is split between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto , which have worked together to establish a number of nature reserves with unique characteristics. Amiata is a great open-air museum, an environmental park in which art, culture and nature happily unite. To the many places of ecological importance, one adds other organized areas. Amiata means to live in the open, to breathe in a salubrious air, a magical atmosphere. Tradition, culture and nature, interweave an uninterrupted dialogue between man and his environment. Amiata is a great outdoor museum, enjoyable for the very humanness of its scale. Nature regales us with her scents, breezes, colors. The essences, the medicinal herbs, the flowers. The animals live free, or are protected as in the Monte Amiata Wildlife Park , on the slopes of Monte Labbro, where one can follow long guided trails. Here respect towards Nature creates a standard of behavior. The Park is within the Monte Labbro Nature Reserve. This vast area was center of a 19 th century religious movement that sprung up around the controversial figure of David Lazzaretti, a local prophet. The Reserve's woods are easily explored on foot, on horseback, or on a mountain bike, by following the network of paths based on the ancient ramblings of mushroom hunters and woodsmen. On Amiata there is a high concentration of biotopes and protected areas, in which ecological balances permit an extraordinary combination of vegetation, which is particularly attractive to animals. Many of the nature reserves of the inter-provincial system are found within our townships and almost all this extinct volcano is involved in protection programs. Each nature reserve protects environmental treasures.

Riserva Naturale della Santissima Trinità (Holy Trinity Nature Reserve)

Notable for its indigenous silver fir forest, this nature reserve is located 4km/2.5 miles from Santa Fiora, on the provincial road to Castell'Azzara, and is near the monastery of the same name.

Riserva Naturale di Monte Labro (Monte Labro Nature Reserve)

Include the Monte Labbro mountain and the surrounding peaks. For more information: 0564-966-438.

Parco Faunistico del Monte Amiata (Monte Amiata Wildlife Park)

It's located within the Monte Labbro Nature Reserve. Open every day, excluding Mondays, from 7:15 am to sunset. Visitors are to keep to the marked paths, as the animals freely roam the park. For more information call: +39 0564-966-867 or e-mail: parcfaun@amiata.net , or visit their website: www.parcofaunistico.it

Parco Artistico Naturale e Culturale della Val D'Orcia (The Orcia Valley Artistic, Nature and Cultural Park)

Encompassing the townships of Castiglione d'Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radiocofani, and San Quirico d'Orcia. For information contact the individual towns or Val d'Orcia srl at +39 0577-893303, e-mail: vdorcia@amiata.net

Biotopo di Carceta e Montelaccio (Scarceta and Montelaccio Biotope)

This biotope with its particular microclimate is located near the town of Castiglione d'Orcia. For information call: +39 0577-887017.

Abetina del Vivo d'Orcia (Fir tree grove of Vivo d'Orcia)

This wood is located on the edge of Vivo d'Orcia, near the Hermitage and the Cervini Palace . For information call Vivo d'Orcia: +39 0577-887017.

Riserva Naturale Pescinello (Pescinello Nature Reserve)

Located on the upper reaches of the Albegna river, the guardians of this reserve are attempting to re-introduce the 'capovaccaio', a bird of prey. Coming from the Roccalbegna direction, procede for Triana, and after about 2 Km/1.2 miles, take the left turning. For information call: +39 0564-989176.

Riserva Naturale Pigelleto (Pigelleto Nature Reserve)

Located between Piancastagnaio and Castell'Azzara. The name Pigelleto iderived from 'Pigella', a local term used in the past for fir trees. For information contact the Piancastagnaio townhall: +39 0577-786024, or the Centro didattico ambientale (Environmental Education Centre): +39 0577-788-004.

Parco Città Fortificata di Radicofani (Castlewalls Park of Radicofani)

An integral part of the town, the park is located within the castle boundaries. During the winter the park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, while from April on it is open daily, from 10 am to sunset. For information call the town of Radicofani : +39 0578-55908.

Parco Isabella di Radicofani (Isabelle's Park)

Located within the town, this park has an interesting botanical walk. For further information call: +39 0578-55905.

Riserva Naturale di Rocconi (Rocconi Nature Reserve)

Located near the town of Roccalbegna , this reserve is set on the harsh ravine of the Albegna river. It is in part a World Wildlife Fund Oasis and is open year round, but only on a reserved, guided visit basis. Nearby, in the neighboring town of Semproniano , is the Centro Recupero Rapaci ( Rescue Center for Birds of Prey). For further information call: +39 0564-989-115, or Roccalbegna townhall at +39 0564-989-098, or Semproniano townhall at +39 0564-986-320.

Centro Recupero Rapaci di Semproniano (Semproniano Rescue Center for Birds of Prey)  

Located a few kilometers outside the town of Semproniano , on the provincial road to Saturnia. For further information call: +39 0564-986-168.

Riserva di Poggio all'Olmo (Elmtree Hillock Nature Reserve)

Located near the village of Monticello Amiata , in the township of Cinigiano , the reserve is accessible to all. To reach the reserve, take the road from Monticello towards Alteta. For further information, call the Cinigiano town hall at +39 0564-99340.

Giardino di Daniel Spoerri (The Daniel Spoerri Garden)

The garden is located 800 meters/730 yards from the town of Seggiano , on the road to Pescina. Featuring modern sculpture in a naturalistic setting, the garden is open by appointment in the off-season, and from 4 pm to 8 pm daily in the summer. Closed Mondays. For further information: Daniel Spoerri Garden.

Riserva del Monte Penna (Monte Penna Nature Reserve)

The reserve is located in the township of Castell'Azzara , on the Civitella massif, and features karst dolina, a remarkable variety of vegetation, and numerous caves of varying size and depth, inhabited by rare bat species. Open to the public, the reserve is near both Castell'Azzara and the village of Selvena . For information on the reserve call Castell'Azzara townhall at +39 0564-951026, and for guided tours of the caves, contact the spelunking group l'Orso (the Bear) +39 0564-951032.

Parco minerario dell'Amiata (Amiata mine park)

Still in the planning stages, the administrators intend to recover mining areas, beginning with a large mine located at Abbadia San Salvatore. For further information: Mine museum.