The National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise is the eldest National Park of Italy. The area covers 44 000 hectares, more 60 000 hectares of external protection area. It rose thanks to the Savoy’s hunting passion, who in 1872 turned a part of the present territory into “Royal Hunting Reserve”; after several vicissitudes, it was finally opened on the 9th September 1922. Due to some enlargements occurred in different periods (the most recent, in 1990, regarding 4 400 hectares of the part of Molise), the present area includes 44 000 hectares, some in Latium, some in the Molise.
The National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise shows almost all the distinguishable characteristics of Central Apennines, including unique elements of flora and fauna. From the geologic and tectonic point of view, this is the heart of the great calcareous kingdom which, starting from Sibillini Mountains in Marche, descends to Pollino massif with various breaks, lengthwise along the peninsula. So, in the North, its calcareous tops extend as far as the high valley of Sangro river in Abruzzo and, in the West and South, these form a continuous fortification along Comino valley in Latium and Volturno valley in the Molise.
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Biodiversity of the National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise is varied and rich, both as regards the plant kingdom (about 1 900 species of plants) and even more as regards animal life: 6 000 species of insects, 60 species of mammals, 230 species of birds and 40 species of reptiles, amphibians and fishes.
Yet, thanks to the Marsican brown bear, the park is now renowned all over the world. Nowadays, in the territory and in the external protected area, there are about 100 exemplars of it.

The Park territory comprises 21 villages where signalled itineraries start (150, mostly not very hard, to accomplish in one hour), linked by a tourist centre network, naturalistic refuge-museums and structures able to satisfy the tourist needs.

The Park territories of the Molise, in the South-Eastern part of the protected area, are constituted by unique, naturalistic beauty and great cultural charm zones. The Mainarde range identify geographically this part of Apennines with extraordinary environmental values.
The beechwood of Val Pagana and the tableland of Forme extend at the foot of Meta massif, Meticcia ridges and Monte a Mare.

The five villages of the Molise which are part of the National Park of Abruzzo, Latium and Molise are Castel San Vincenzo, Filignano, Pizzone, Rocchetta al Volturno and Scapoli. Striking views, uncontaminated nature, historical-monumental attractions, craftmade products and gastronomic traditions: this is what the five villages of the Molise part of the Park offer.

For further information: www.parcoabruzzo.it