THE GARGANO THE GARGANO NATIONAL PARKNATIONAL PARK

OUR FIRST TRIPOUR FIRST TRIP5TH NOVEMBER 20085TH NOVEMBER 2008

The Gargano National ParkThe Gargano National Park

The Gargano National Park, with its 120,000 hectares of lagoons, The Gargano National Park, with its 120,000 hectares of lagoons, mountains, sandy beaches, marine reserves, villages and forests, is mountains, sandy beaches, marine reserves, villages and forests, is one of Italy’ s most beautiful areas. The four Tremiti Islands are part of one of Italy’ s most beautiful areas. The four Tremiti Islands are part of this jewel: they are surrounded by a crystal-clear sea and they are rich this jewel: they are surrounded by a crystal-clear sea and they are rich in caves. in caves.

Men have left their traces from prehistoric times until the present day, Men have left their traces from prehistoric times until the present day, in the archaeological sites, important places of worship, amongst in the archaeological sites, important places of worship, amongst castle walls and lookout towers.castle walls and lookout towers.

From the first rudimentary From the first rudimentary drawings of horses and drawings of horses and hands on the walls of the hands on the walls of the Paglicci Grotto, to the Paglicci Grotto, to the "stele", the tombstones "stele", the tombstones originated in the Iron Age, originated in the Iron Age, some of the most important some of the most important places of worship in the places of worship in the world (The Sanctuary of St. world (The Sanctuary of St. Michael Archangel, the Michael Archangel, the Convent of St. Matthew, the Convent of St. Matthew, the human and religious route of human and religious route of San Pio) everything shows San Pio) everything shows that here History is deeply that here History is deeply rooted in Nature.rooted in Nature.The great green heart of the The great green heart of the Park is the Umbra Forest. Park is the Umbra Forest.

Some of the trees growing Some of the trees growing in the Park are more than in the Park are more than 500 years old. From a 500 years old. From a faunal point of view, the faunal point of view, the peculiarity of the Park is peculiarity of the Park is the presence of the roe the presence of the roe deer and of several kinds of deer and of several kinds of woodpeckers, they live woodpeckers, they live only in protected areas. only in protected areas. There are also wild cats, There are also wild cats, peregrines, buzzards, peregrines, buzzards, kestrels and lanners. An kestrels and lanners. An incredible variety of incredible variety of aquatic and pelagic species aquatic and pelagic species live in the coastal and lake live in the coastal and lake areas. areas.

Wild ducks, seagulls, and Wild ducks, seagulls, and coots, living amongst the coots, living amongst the reeds, bamboo canes, reeds, bamboo canes, tamarisks, pools and stretches tamarisks, pools and stretches of water, are some of the of water, are some of the more easily identifiable more easily identifiable species. Besides them, the species. Besides them, the red heron, reedling and red heron, reedling and tobacco duck build their nests tobacco duck build their nests here, and it is easy to see here, and it is easy to see ospreys, wild geese and ospreys, wild geese and shearwaters.shearwaters.

Both the underwood and the Both the underwood and the prairies are rich in flowers: prairies are rich in flowers: there are more than 60 orchid there are more than 60 orchid species, the highest number species, the highest number in Europe and in the in Europe and in the Mediterranean basin.Mediterranean basin.

The Wetlands: LesinaThe Wetlands: Lesina

One of the main reasons One of the main reasons for which the Park has for which the Park has been established in this been established in this area is the presence of area is the presence of important humid zones like important humid zones like the lagoons in Lesina.the lagoons in Lesina.

Exactly in this area, for its Exactly in this area, for its wildlife importance, LIPU wildlife importance, LIPU Oasis “Lesina Dune” is Oasis “Lesina Dune” is situated (It is an situated (It is an organization for the organization for the observation and protection observation and protection of birds). of birds).

In Lesina there are fourteen In Lesina there are fourteen big aquaria containing the big aquaria containing the Lagoon ichthyic species.Lagoon ichthyic species.

In the neighbourhood In the neighbourhood numerous findings linked to numerous findings linked to the Neolithic age and many the Neolithic age and many others of the Roman age others of the Roman age have been brought to light. have been brought to light.

During the lagoon ebb tide During the lagoon ebb tide St. Clemente little isle St. Clemente little isle (characterized by an iron (characterized by an iron cross) stands out; it has the cross) stands out; it has the merit of preserving the merit of preserving the ruins of a Roman Villa.ruins of a Roman Villa.

LESINA MUSEUMLESINA MUSEUM

OUR COMENIUS CORNEROUR COMENIUS CORNER