Diaccia Botrona is a nature reserve composed of 1000 hectares of wetlands in Maremma which is located between Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto. Especially beautiful, it is also important due to its unique characteristics and is, thus, internationally recognised. Many species of flora and fauna can be found in the area and with free entry, it's the perfect place to see animals and nature and take kids along. You can take boat tours of the area or wander around but be sure to come prepared as it is called a “wetland” for a reason!
Find a villa with pool in Grosseto and visit this astounding natural wonder for yourself!
Find a villa with pool in Grosseto and visit this astounding natural wonder for yourself!
The wetland of Diaccia Botrona nature reserve was created after the drainage of Lake Prile which used to occupy the area. Drained almost entirely during the huge drainage scheme undertaken in the 18th century by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany in order to defeat malaria, it is now an important wetland and nature reserve. You can observe many different species of birds in the area, such as hawks, herons, wild geese and ducks and it is also one of the few places in Italy where flamingos live. You can also spot mammals such as foxes, badgers, hedgehogs and porcupines and reptiles such as the sea turtle, collared snake, common lizard, slow-worm, Hermann tortoise, gecko, tree frog and grass snake. The waters are inhabited by crustaceans, annelids, arachnids and insects.
Vast forests used to occupy the Maremman but there are only small areas which still exist today and are largely made up of ash, elm and tamerisk tress. The vegetation which exists in the area today is largely characterised by crops of glasswort to the west and the lemon-orchard.
The marshy areas are occupied by reed thickets, bulrushes and sedge. There are also 15 species of wild orchids, some of which are particularly rare.
The nature reserve of Diaccia Botrona was established in 1996 to preserve its rare and important ecosystem which contains a vast variety of micro-organisms, both vegetable and animal, and which contributes enormously to the upkeep of the biodiversity of the area.
On the grounds of the reserve there is also a modern multimedia museum built inside the Casa Rossa (or Red House), a structure originally commissioned by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo as a big hydraulic damper in 1765 and built by Leonardo Ximenes, the engineer and mathematician who was involved in the reclamation and draining of lands in the area. The museum is a good place for information about the area and you can also view areas of the reserve on cameras to get a closer look at the wildlife.
If you are a nature or animal lover or are merely someone who enjoys beautiful scenery a visit to Diaccia Botrona is a rewarding experience. Be sure to stop by on your next visit to Maremma.
The marshy areas are occupied by reed thickets, bulrushes and sedge. There are also 15 species of wild orchids, some of which are particularly rare.
The nature reserve of Diaccia Botrona was established in 1996 to preserve its rare and important ecosystem which contains a vast variety of micro-organisms, both vegetable and animal, and which contributes enormously to the upkeep of the biodiversity of the area.
On the grounds of the reserve there is also a modern multimedia museum built inside the Casa Rossa (or Red House), a structure originally commissioned by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo as a big hydraulic damper in 1765 and built by Leonardo Ximenes, the engineer and mathematician who was involved in the reclamation and draining of lands in the area. The museum is a good place for information about the area and you can also view areas of the reserve on cameras to get a closer look at the wildlife.
If you are a nature or animal lover or are merely someone who enjoys beautiful scenery a visit to Diaccia Botrona is a rewarding experience. Be sure to stop by on your next visit to Maremma.
Photo credits
picture 1: Matteo Vinattieri / CC BY 3.0;
picture 2: Jacopo Verrigni / CC BY-ND 2.0;
picture 3: Matteo Vinattieri / CC BY 3.0
picture 1: Matteo Vinattieri / CC BY 3.0;
picture 2: Jacopo Verrigni / CC BY-ND 2.0;
picture 3: Matteo Vinattieri / CC BY 3.0
