Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente-Velino

The Protected Area

Identity Card

• Land Area (ha): 50.288,00
• Regions: Abruzzo
• Provinces: L'Aquila
• Towns: Acciano, Aielli, Castel di Ieri, Castelvecchio Subequo, Celano, Cerchio, Collarmele, Fagnano Alto, Fontecchio, Gagliano Aterno, Goriano Sicoli, Magliano Dè Marsi, Massa d'Albe, Molina Aterno, Ocre, Ovindoli, Pescina, Rocca di Cambio, Rocca di Mezzo, Secinaro, Tione degli Abruzzi
• Establishing measures: LR 54 13/07/1989 - LR 38 21/06/1996 - LR 23 del 07/03/2000
• PA Official list: EUAP0173

The Statute (PDF - 63Kb)

Nature

Sirente-Velino Regional Park is characterized by various environments, from the mountain to the mid-mountain environment, from hilly to river landscapes, from 2,300 to 600 meters of altitude.
Each environment houses a particular kind of fauna and vegetation. According to recent censuses, at the moment in the Park there are 1,926 flower species; 216 vertebrate species; 149 birds; 43 mammals; 13 reptiles; 11 amphibians.

Further info (Italian text)

Fauna

The Park area, covering about 50,250 ha, is considerably diversified for the orographic features of the territory and typology of environments housing a great variety of vegetable and animal species.
The big difference in height, the considerable differences between slopes with a different exposure, the morphology marked by canyons, plateaus, deep gorges, cliffs, and screes form a great variety of environments characterized by a wide range of vegetal formations and wildlife species representing a cross section of the ecosystem biodiversity of the Central Apennines.

Further info (Italian text)

Vegetation and Flora

Sirente Velino Park is a wonderful example of floristic biodiversity: according to censuses, the Park houses 1,570 species, gathered in 516 genera and 102 families.
Out of them, 116 floristic essences represent important naturalistic features (endemic species, glacial relicts, species with a separated or fragmentary distribution, and rare species) and include particularly rare species like Astragalus aquilanus - exclusively living in some mountain areas of Abruzzi - and Adonis distorta - exclusively living in some areas of the Central Apennines. There are also important species of orchids, narcissi, as well as rare peonies and Viola eugeniae.

Further info (Italian text)

Geological Origins

As far as geology is concerned, the area of Sirente Velino Park is characterized by Mesozoic formations, with Cretaceous organogenic limestone forming most of the mountains; however, there is also limestone dating back to the Jurassic period.
The Tertiary formations are well evident, with the marly limestone of the Lower Miocene both on the south-western slope and in the north of Sirente chain, with mountain layer debris; they are also evident near Altopiani delle Rocche with the molassic series of the Middle-Upper Miocene.

Further info (Italian text)

Karstic Phenomena

Karstic phenomena are very widespread in the area of Sirente Velino Park. As a matter of fact, it is frequent to meet pot holes, caves, and dolines, all evidences of how this phenomenon is still particularly active.

Further info (Italian text)

Mountain Groups

Sirente-Velino group forms a sort of belt used by the wildlife to go from one side to the other of the Apennines. It has a strategic topographical importance, since it represents a necessary connection between the mountains of Reatino, northern Simbruini, the area of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (in the south-east) and Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park in the north.

• Sirente Massif
• Velino Massif

Further info (Italian text)