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Casentino National Park
- The Area: Casentino National Park
- The Tuscan side of the National Park
- Forests
- The Fauna
- The Signs of Man
- Camaldoli Hermitage
- The Sanctuary of La Verna
- Pratovecchio
- Poppi
- Chiusi della Verna
- Bibbiena
- Stia
The Area: Casentino National Park
The Park was established in 1993 and covers a vast territory between Tuscany and Romagna. It 'a mountainous area of Tuscany and has an area of about 826 square kilometers.
The Tuscan side of the National Park
The valleys of the Tuscan side are crossed by the river Arno. The protected area of this side includes the Sanctuary of La Verna, located a few kilometers from Chiusi della Verna, where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmas.
Forests
The National Park of Casentino Forests is a large forest area between zones of Arezzo, Florence and Forli-Cesena. The Park includes a good part of the Tuscan-Romagna. From the western slopes of the Apennines are born different streams, such as those of the Arno, crossing the lush wooded areas of the territory of which it is made up of the park for about 80% of the territory.
The fauna
The Casentino territory has a significant amount of animal species. Among the mammals is undoubtedly worth mentioning the presence of the wolf, which at the moment there are about 9 herds in the Northern Apennines. Among the most visible species there are those concerning deer, fallow deer and roe deer. They are not to be omitted, in addition, about 139 types of birds, 100 of which are regularly seen throughout the course of the year.
The Signs of Man
The human presence in the area is attested by ancient ruins, bridges and old houses scattered a bit all over the area. They are works of great tourist attraction that lead the visitor to discover the "Tuscan Romagna," of ancient Etruscan settlements and countless testimonies of the famous Battle of Campaldino of 1289, fought between the Florentine Guelphs and Ghibellines of Arezzo. The environmental context of the Tuscan slope is also interspersed with areas devoted to agriculture and wooded areas which are an important resource for the artificial production and processing of wood products of fine workmanship.
Camaldoli Hermitage
St. Romuald arrived in these lands in 1012 and with some of his disciples founded the Order of Camaldoli and built the first cells. After a thousand years, the atmosphere seems to be cambiata.Interessante to see the baroque church of the Sacred Hermitage and the Old Pharmacy of Camaldoli Monastery wrapped in their ancient forest.
The Sanctuary of La Verna
Perched atop the southern area of Monte Penna is the famous Sanctuary of La Verna. It 's the place where St. Francis received the stigmas in 1224, and it is for this reason that the place receives annually (especially in summer) hundreds of tourists from all over the world.
Pratovecchio
Pratovecchio is the place where the headquarters of the Farm House Pallino. It 'a little municipality of about 3000 people and is situated at 420m above sea level
In the town of Pratovecchio is Romena, a town famous for an ancient castle that dominates the entire valley, and the presence of an ancient church.
Poppi
And one of the most beautiful medieval villages of the Casentino. It 's definitely an essential stop for any tourist who wants to visit the Casentino territory because it also has one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles of the entire European territory: the castle of the Counts Guidi. Built in 1191, the building has inside a museum dedicated to the Battle of Campaldino, a documentation center and a library. Continue renovations have ensured the excellent preservation over time.
Chiusi della verna
It a place which is a few kilometers from the Sanctuary of La Verna. It has just over 2000 inhabitants, situated at 954m above sea level and is predominantly forested mountain area, ideal (especially in summer) for those interested in cycling and long walks.
Bibbiena
Bibbiena, with its 12,000 residents is the largest municipality in the territory of the Casentino. Famous for its long theatrical tradition that is still practiced in the famous Theatre Dovizi. Also famous for the tradition of photography. It has a beautiful museum of Photography. Not miss the church of Santa Mary of the Graces.