There are plenty of wonderful and fascinating gardens and, in particular, botanic gardens located all over Italy and Tuscany. However, one of the most unique and interesting of all has to be the Orto Botanico delle Alpi Apuane"Pietro Pellegrini", also known as the Orto Botanico di Pellegini-Ansali, or the Orto Botanico di Pian della Fioba, or the Botanic Garden of the Apuan Alps in Massa.
This incredible green oasis is home to native plants of the Apuan Alps and is found in Pian della Fioba, at an altitude of around 900 metres. It was established as a nature preserve and very special, naturally-occurring botanic garden in 1966 in order to study these indigenous plants. Named for the botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867-1957) who was from the area, it is operated by the town in conjunction with the Università della Toscana.
This incredible green oasis is home to native plants of the Apuan Alps and is found in Pian della Fioba, at an altitude of around 900 metres. It was established as a nature preserve and very special, naturally-occurring botanic garden in 1966 in order to study these indigenous plants. Named for the botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867-1957) who was from the area, it is operated by the town in conjunction with the Università della Toscana.
It was not actually officially opened to the public until 1981 but is now a popular spot for school visits, walks, locals, and tourists in the know. The educational aspect that first saw the creation of the garden remains important and there is a lower area on the grounds that has been adapted to offer an educational tour, as well as an informative multimedia room and guided tours that are offered by graduates and undergraduates from Tuscan universities who are studying and researching meteorological data.
While most of the vegetation found in the garden is spontaneous, there is a man-made pond that was added for the wetland species, as well as experimental trees, mostly conifers, and a collection of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) for study and conservation.
Rather than the groomed and perfect gardens of Renaissance villas or the ordered botanic gardens of universities, this is a beautiful space that has gone largely untouched by man and, instead, is a precious natural gem to soak in and admire if you have found a vacation rental in Massa and are looking for somewhere special.
While most of the vegetation found in the garden is spontaneous, there is a man-made pond that was added for the wetland species, as well as experimental trees, mostly conifers, and a collection of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) for study and conservation.
Rather than the groomed and perfect gardens of Renaissance villas or the ordered botanic gardens of universities, this is a beautiful space that has gone largely untouched by man and, instead, is a precious natural gem to soak in and admire if you have found a vacation rental in Massa and are looking for somewhere special.
Photo credit: Chriturba / CC BY-SA 4.0
