The Sacro Monte lies in a commanding position on the Lago Maggiore at 360 meters above sea-level. It is an unfinished Baroque complex inspired to the Borromean conception and to the architectonic models of the Sacri Monti di Orta e di Varese. The Natural Reserve (about 200 hectares) is situated on the slopes of Mt. Cargiago which are covered with several paths bordered by dry stone walls and some small typical votive chapels.

The Reserve is made up of woods which belong to the Town. It extends from Sacro Monte (mt. 360) to the peak of Monte Cargiago (mt. 713) and the area of Pollino (mt. 790). It covers the whole Northern-West side of the Ballona stream, the Southern-West one and reaches Caronio (mt. 500). From a morphological point of view there are two main environmental units: the steep Eastern side (towards Lago Maggiore) and the Western one (basin of Ballona stream) which is less steep than the previous one and rich of small streams. Woods cover the whole territory but the area where visitors can see the Sanctuary which is rich of age-old lindens and planes. The Reserve is characterized by a high presence of chestnuts and other hardwood trees, above all oaks, maples, lindens, ashes, alders and birches. Among shrubby species: holly, butcher's broom, hazels and medlars are the most interesting ones. Once the wood was divided into high forest and coppice. This division helped the local enonomical needs and created favourable conditions for the presence of pastures.

At the present moment the area is rich of coppice. Some years ago the territory was reafforested with exotic conifers on areas which were no more used for pastures. Robinia was placed in areas burnt by fires which killed local precious species. Recent vegetational and naturalistic surveys in the Piano di Assestamento Forestale make up the basis for a forest, naturalistic and landscape requalification. This big area which is rich of woods represents a fundamental ecosystem for the naturalistic elements (in particular the faunistic ones) which belong to it.

As far as fauna is concerned, the Reserve is characterized by the high presence of roe deers, foxes, yews, badgers, squirrels, martens and beech-martens. Deers and wild boars are not very common. Among avifauna: black woodpeckers, a rare species which can be found in high mountain. Furthermore, it is possible to see great spotted woodpeckers, green woodpeckers, jays, fieldfares, woodpigeons and buzzards. In the damp area of Ballona stream visitors can see -if they are lucky- kingfishers, dippers and even grey herons. Toads, frogs, salamanders, newts, etc. are very common in the Reserve.

Official web site UNESCO >> click here

<< Natuurlijke