Parco regionale del Partenio

P.I.T. (Integrated Territorial Project)

The Integrated Territorial Project, an essential instrument for Partenio Regional Park, aims at creating Sustainable Development conditions for the territory, through conservation, enhancement, promotion, and use of the naturalistic, environmental, historical-religious, and cultural resources of the protected area. As a matter of fact, the Integrated Planning based on the principle of concentration of the resources in a well-defined area - resources which can be activated through material and immaterial actions, and which are concerted and integrated - aims at ensuring an adequate local development according to the territorial vocation.

Further information (Italian text)

The Park

Partenio Regional Park was established in 2002. It covers an area of 14,870.24 ha and includes 22 Municipalities scattered throughout its territory, both in the Apennines and in the adjacent valleys: Valle Caudina, Valle del Sabato, and Vallo di Lauro Baianese. The town centers, mainly belonging to the Provinces of Avellino and Benevento, are often situated in the piedmont area, and the roads connecting them form a circuit surrounding the whole mountain group of Partenio. The territory of Partenio Regional Park is dominated by Partenio Mountain Ridge: according to D.M. 03.04.2000, it is a Site of Community Importance (SCI) developing for over 25 km. The ridge is a calcareous mountain system with slopes cut by rather deep ravines leading rainwater and springs down to the valley. The territory of the whole area interested by Partenio Park is mainly characterized by woodlands; however, it is also possible to find arboreal and herbaceous cultivations and pastures. The area is subject to hydrogeological restrictions. Moreover, large sections of the protected area are subject to landscape protection.
Partenio chain represents a real biogeographical island, a green natural lung. Partenio Regional Park is easily accessible from all the main regional towns. The area is served by several regional roads, highways (Caserta-Salerno and Napoli-Bari), via Appia (SS 7) in the north, SS road 7 bis in the south, and railways (Benevento-Napoli and Avellino-Napoli).
The Park area is crossed by many trails that, leaving from the town centers, develop among chestnut and beech tree woodlands and lead to places of great environmental value.

History and Geomorphology

Partenio was born 3-4 million years ago, between the Pliocene and the Quaternary.
The first settlers of Partenio Mountains seem to have been people belonging to the civilization of the Apennines.
In the territory of Partenio, two of the branches of the Samnite people settled:

• the Caudine settled in Western Sannio, between Lazio and Campania up to Isclero Valley
• the Hirpini settled between Campania and Apulia.

Partenio became a point of contact among these people.
The Park territory is known for one of the most famous historical events: the defeat of the Romans by the Samnites and the Caudine Forks episode, when the latter were humiliated and forced to pass under the yoke of the Samnites.
In the various Municipalities of Partenio Park several evidences of the Samnite Civilization have been found. There are also several existing evidences dating back to the Roman period, like Avella amphitheater.

Further information (Italian text)

Geography

Partenio chain, developing for 30 km, is situated in the heart of Campania, north-west the town of Avellino, between Mt. Taburno in the north-west and Picentini Mountains in the south-east. The mountain group is formed by at least three ridges of different size, developing from east to west and separated by deep ravines with torrential rivers. The main summits are Montevergine (1,480m), Mt. Avella (1,598m), and Mt. Ciesco Alto (1,357m).
The most important river basin is represented by the river Calore, running in the north. The area is also crossed by a network of small and short streams. In Avellino, Rio Vergine flows into Rio Finestrelle, a tributary of river Sabato. The basin of stream Corvo is situated, from south to north, between the Provinces of Avellino and Benevento. The mountain basin supplying Regi Lagni is situated in the Park territory and is formed by the waters of stream Clanio, involving the provinces of Avellino, Napoli, and Caserta. Moreover, on the northern slope, river Isclero has its source: it is a left tributary of Volturno. Another stream is stream Caudino.
Many small watercourses, originating in the mountains, have subterranean courses given to the calcareous nature of the rocks.
Some gorges and waterfalls, like Cascatelle and Acquapendente waterfall, are worth a mention.
From a geological point of view, Partenio is formed by carbonate deposits of the Mesozoic period, covered with occasional plates of Tertiary sediments and a great quantity of pyroclastic material coming from the nearby volcanic complex of Somma - Vesuvio.
It is also possible to notice several surface karstic phenomena (dolines, furrowed fields, etc.) and underground karstic phenomena (with several speleogenetic evidences, especially on the southern slope).
The several caves scattered throughout the territory are worth a mention. On the slope of Nola, for instance, there are 25 cavities. Among the most interesting ones: Grotta degli Sportiglioni, Grotte di Camerelle, Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo on the southern slope of Partenio, Grotta di Mattiuccio and Grotta Candida on the northern slope.
The fossilipherous phenomena should not be underestimated. As a matter of fact, in various parts of the territory characterized by calcareous rocks it is easy to find Stromatolites, Miliolids, Nerineidae, Diceratidae, Spiroline, Brachiopoda, Radiolitidae, Rudistacea.
There are areas, often along the watercourses, where it is possible to find fossils of Gastropods and Lamellibranchs like Murex, Brandaris, Deodora italica, Cardium, Pecten, Chlamis.
The soil of Partenio is mainly formed by pyroclastic material, that is materials of volcanic origin coming from the volcanic complex of Somma - Vesuvio. They are particularly fertile soils. On the steepest slopes, more interested by meteoric washing out, the calcareous platforms outcrop. There are also clayey soils and soils characterized by a calcareous and mixed structure, the latter situated above all in the southern stretch of the area.

Flora

The symbol of the floristic beauty characterizing the Park is the Martagon Lily which, with its charm and elegance, shows off in the biodiversity case of Partenio. The climate and soil morphology varieties - the soil is particularly fertile for the presence of volcanic, calcareous, and clayey materials - have favored the development of diversified ecosystems rich in a great variety of flora and fauna.
At lower altitudes there are town centers, cultivated fields, and the Mediterranean maquis biotope. At higher altitudes, beech trees mix with other deciduous oaks which gradually dominate together with chestnut trees. The highest beech tree woodlands give way to long meadows, also used as pastures in the highest points of the mountain chain. At these altitudes it is possible to find several species of naturalistic interest like the Woodland Pink, Etna Violet, Heartsease, Hawksbeard, Narcissus, Asphodelus, Clover, Bluegrass, and Armeria.
Near the streams and watercourses it is easy to find various species of Poplar (Black, White, and Aspen), Italian Alders, Hornbeams, and Lobel's Maples.
The rocky flora includes Saxifrages, Grassy Bells, Bellflowers, Centaurea, Valeriana, Asperula, Daphne, Pimpinella. In the Park there are 33 varieties of Orchids.

Focus

Herbs in the History of Partenio

The use of herbs with healing and aromatic purposes is very ancient. It probably dates back to the birth of life on the earth. There is a "local" history of medicinal plants and their use. A tradition that in Partenio is linked to the famous Montevergine Abbey, the industriousness of the Benedictine Monks, their skills in using vegetables to prepare galenic products since the 12th century and herb liquors since 1882. Always surrounded by woodlands, forests, harsh and intact plateaus after which the mountain has been named, the Monks have been able to adapt to these places and to use the products generously offered by nature without damaging the surrounding environment. This activity, handed down over the centuries and gradually adapted to the time, led to the creation of special structures necessary to continue the tradition also for the benefit of the local people. Everyone knows the famous Benedictine Pharmacy situated in Loreto abbey palace.

The Wild Chamomile of Partenio

The symbol of the medicinal plants of Partenio is Matricaria Partheniurn L. or Anthemis of Partenio. It is the main ingredient of the famous liquor produced by the Benedictine Monks from Montevergine, the so-called "Anthemis", characterized by a dark green color, as well as by tonic and anti-stomatitis properties. Matricaria Partheniurn L., once very known in the area, has become a rare plant: it should not be picked up and should be protected. It is similar to chamomile. Stalks of about 16 cm, green-grayish leaves about 9 mm long and no more than 1 -2 mm wide. Flowers with an intense yellow color, about 15 for each plant, with a diameter of 3-4 cm when they are in bloom. Its presence is not limited to the highest calcareous areas of the territory, between 1,000 and 1,400m. It blooms between June and July. It has a penetrating smell and a bitterish taste. It has antinflammatory, digestive, emmenagogic, febrifugal, sedative, and tonic properties. It contains the same active ingredients of chamomile: azulene.

Fauna

While strolling around the luxuriant nature of Partenio, it is easy to meet wildlife species of great value.
For instance, the Park houses 11-12 species of amphibians, living near streams, resurgences, wells, and channels. Some of them are of particular conservation interest, like the Spectacled Salamander and the Italian Newt.
The Fire Salamander (with its showy yellow spots), the Yellow-bellied Toad, the Green Toad, and the Italian Tree Frog are also of great value and rare beauty.
Among the several varieties of reptiles, the European pond terrapin is worth a mention. Of course, there is also a great number of mammals: several specimens of European Pine Marten, Badger, Fox, Beech Marten, and Weasel populate the area, while the Apennine Wolf is present with a few rare specimens. If you love bird watching, Partenio offers several surprises: you can listen to the beating of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the Green Woodpecker or admire the flight of big birds of prey like the Buzzard, the Common Raven, and the Peregrine. Several specimens of Eagle Owl live in the WWF Nature Sanctuary.

Climate

The Park is characterized by a very variable climate depending on its proximity to the sea. In its mountains, the highest national rainfalls have been recorded, with 2,200 mm/year and 121 days of rain. At lower altitudes this value is lower, sometimes much lower. The most rainy months are November, December, and January. In the Park mountain areas there are no dry periods, since rainfalls are registered also in summer. The situation at lower altitudes is different: as a matter of fact, during the summer there are no rainfalls at all.
In July (the hottest month) temperatures go from 17 and 26°C according to the altitude, while the average temperature in January (the coldest month) is 0°C, and sometimes lower according to the altitude. Snow falls also in great quantities in winter, in the mountains. The main winds blow from NE, followed by the winds blowing from SW and bringing rainfalls.