The Circeo complex natural eco-systems

The Circeo National Park is situated along the Tyrrhenian coast in the South of Rome, just north of Terracina, and it covers 8.500 hectares in the province of Latina. The towns within or close to the protected area are Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo including aslo the insular part with the Island of Zannone, Ponza. One of the most interesting zones as far as nature, human heritage and history are concerned, Circeo National Park, includes the Mount Circeo

promontory,the Terracina or Selva di Circe Forest, the coastal lakes of Sabaudia (or Paola) Caprolace, Monaci and Fogliano on the South Pontino coast and the tiny Island of Zannone, for a total of approximately 8,400 hectares. The park biosphere reserves represent a diversity of Mediterranean ecosystems.

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park

It comprises a plain forest located on a series of coastal dunes, three main coastal lakes, marshy areas, canals and the calcareous hll of Mount Circeo (541 meters above sea level) as well as agriculture fields and pastures. Due to its proximity to Rome, the area is a popular destination for tourists which cause some pressure on the ecosystem, in particular to coastal dunes habitat.Established in 1934, the Circeo National Park is important for the protection of several habitats with different biomes (associations of

coexistent plants and animals determined and influenced by environmental factors) and many animal species with a consequent abundance in variety and biodiversity spectrum. The park experiences very hot and dry summers and relatively temperate and humid to sub humid winters. Although the Circeo is not the largest Italian park, it is certainly the most various with important areas including marshlands, forest, dunes and sea, not to mention archaeological sites of international importance.

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park