Reserve ”Foce del Isonzo” (Riserva Naturale della Foce dell'Isonzo) description and photos - Italy: Grado (Topic)

Reserve "Foce del Isonzo" (Riserva Naturale della Foce dell'Isonzo) description and photos - Italy: Grado. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Riserva Naturale della Foce dell'Isonzo.

Photo and description

The Foce del Isonzo Nature Reserve is located in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and includes part of the Grado lagoon. The Isonzo River itself originates in the Julian Alps in Slovenia and, after about 140 km, flows into the Adriatic Sea, 10 km northeast of the island of Grado. The protected area stretches from the mouth of the Isonzo to the Po delta in the immediate vicinity of Venice - the total area of the reserve is 2400 hectares. The "heart" of the reserve is the islet of Isola della Cona.

The flora and fauna of the reserve are of great natural importance and are distinguished by incredible diversity, which, in turn, is due to the diversity of local ecosystems - there are alluvial forests, sand dunes, swamps , sandy and gravel islands, riverbeds, pastures and meadows, freshwater ponds, reed beds, marine areas and finally cultivated land. The vegetation of Foche del Isonzo is represented by poplars, alders, white willows, oaks, hornbeams and ash trees. The fauna is more diverse and spectacular - mammals, reptiles and insects live in the reserve. Birds deserve special attention, of which there are over 300 species! That is why "Foche del Isonzo" has long been chosen by birdwatchers who come here from all over the world to watch nesting and migrating birds. As for mammals, it is worth mentioning the Camargue horse, which was introduced to the reserve to preserve the natural balance of ecosystems. This horse breed is considered one of the oldest in Europe.

In addition to direct nature conservation, tourism is actively developing on the territory of Foche del Isonzo. To get acquainted with the reserve, you can turn to the visitor center and book a walking, horse or water tour of this unique oasis. Particularly popular, as mentioned above, are bird-watching tours. In addition, the reserve has an eco-park, a Ducks Museum, an observation post, as well as several hiking trails, a guest house where you can spend the night, and a small restaurant.

The Foce del Isonzo Visitor Center is housed in a restored country house. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the reserve, its flora and fauna, watch dioramas and other video materials, see with your own eyes the reconstruction of various ecosystems of the Isonzo estuary. A special stereo system allows you to hear bird chirps and sounds emitted by different animals, and a laboratory equipped with microscopes allows you to discover the macro-world.

A separate museum in the reserve is dedicated to renewable energy sources - you can see small working models with explanatory signs and find thematic educational materials that explain concepts such as “energy sustainability” or tell about the transition from the oil era to the “hydrogen century ".

No less interesting is the small Ducks Museum, which displays stuffed animals of these waterfowl. Here you can also learn about the centuries-old relationship between man and ducks - all phases of this relationship have been carefully reconstructed from the times of antiquity to the present day. The museum is located in a two-story building, which exactly reproduces the old "kazoni" - a typical fishing hut in the lagoon. A powerful telescope is installed in the nearby observation post, which allows you to observe the rich avian fauna of the reserve.

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Topic: Reserve ”Foce del Isonzo” (Riserva Naturale della Foce dell'Isonzo) description and photos - Italy: Grado.